Over twenty years ago, a group of annual visitors to Aruba who usually winter here at the Aruba Beach Club and Casa del Mar Resorts formed a foundation called Friends of the Handicapped. Founded by Keith Jones and his wife Wilma, who are now deceased, their numbers have swelled and dwindled over the years, but a core group is back again to continue their work of “giving back” to the island that is their winter home.

Friends of the Handicapped (FOTH) began their fundraising efforts among members of the Aruba Beach Club by collecting donations at Sunday Mass conducted in the social room every week. This tradition grew to organized events that have raised over one million dollars to benefit a number of worthy foundations on Aruba. In 2007, at the end of their stay, the members of FOTH, headed by President Art Stark, donated checks to fifteen groups for specialized projects, and showed they have expanded their fundraising efforts to include not only the physically and mentally challenged, but also care for the elderly, Aruba’s Red Cross, terminal cancer patient care, and other worthwhile foundations.

Three key events contribute to the bulk of their fundraising. They include Superbowl Sunday lottery tickets, a gala Sweetheart’s Dinner Dance in the Radisson Ballroom on Valentine’s Day, and new from last year, but very successful, a bingo evening in the Marriott Ballroom organized by FOTH member Dave Ulmschneider.

A FOTH member is on duty in the Casa del Mar lobby every day from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 6:45 until 7:45 p.m. selling squares on the Superbowl Sunday lottery. They cost $20 and the grand prize on each of eight boards is $750 for picking the winning scores, and $250 for reverse scores. There are raffle tickets available for drawings during both the Superbowl and on Valentine’s Day, which awards valuable prizes donated by many local vendors. To purchase tickets for the Sweetheart’s Dinner Dance and raffle tickets for fine jewelry, weekend stays and dinners for two at some of Aruba’s finest restaurants, contact Art Stark or his wife Alma at telephone number  567-4102 or 586-3273 or  Dave at 568-8199. Tickets to the dance are also available from Anoushka at the Executive Office in the Casa del Mar, and from the concierge desk in the Radisson Resort. During this delightful event with music from Tico Croes and the Crystal Breeze Band, over ninety prizes are raffled, and there is a silent auction for dinners, weekend stays, and fine art which has been donated by some of Aruba’s best artists.

Saturday, February 9, is the date for this year’s charity bingo, with prizes ranging from 250 Aruban florins to a grand prize of 5,000 Aruban florins for the final full card game. Cost for a packet to play ten games with four cards to a sheet is 20 Aruban florins or $12. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with the games beginning at 8:00 p.m. Bingo sheets and raffle tickets are available in the Marriott Ballroom lobby from 5:00 p.m.

The Friends of the Handicapped have not only added spice to the activities on Aruba with their Superbowl and Valentine’s Day events, they have enriched the lives of those less fortunate and become a part of the community during their visit. They donate their time unstintingly to assist Aruba’s foundations in their important work, and invite all visitors to join them in their efforts by enjoying the wonderful events they organize for a good cause!

Source: The News