FT. LAUDERDALE – Putting to good use her events management skills that Trinidadians came to know and appreciate at events such as Royal Bank’s Kaiso Royale and Cultural Extravaganza, Sandra Bernard-Bastien jumped into the fundraising fray for US Presidential candidate, Barack Obama.
Under the distinguished patronage of Broward County Commissioner and Vice-Mayor, Stacy Ritter, the function dubbed Tea for Change, held recently in Coral Springs, Florida, raised thousands of dollars for the Obama Campaign. Commissioner Ritter who is also co-Chair of the Obama Campaign in Broward County was effusive in her praise for the event which she described as the “best event she ever attended.”
Co-hosts: Sandra Bernard-Bastien, Stacy Ritter, and Joanne Straatsma neé Pires
Combining Obama’s campaign slogan with “Change,” as its main emphasis, with the famous Tea for Two cha-cha song, Tea for Change was a unique and risky idea for a fundraiser in America, where the tea party is not the institution it is in the UK.
Both Sandra and her former Holy Name Convent childhood friend, Joanne Straatsma neé Pires, were nevertheless confident that their love for tea parties could be translated into a successful fundraising event that would be more than just tea for two. Their confidence proved to be justified as more than 60 people, mostly ladies bedecked in their finery and hats, attended the lavish affair held on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
The event was manned by volunteers, mainly Sandra’s co-workers and friends who gave generously of their time in setting up tables and chairs, in managing parking, in unpacking and packing the traditional porcelain tea sets and silver from the personal collection of the two hostesses, and in serving various teas, savories, sandwiches and pastries.
The menu included some of chef Straatsma’s favourites – sweets such as Apricot & White Chocolate Scones with Guava Jelly; Pastel Iced Vanilla Petit Fours; baklavas; Gran Mariner Cream Puffs; and Tiramisu. This was complimented by savories and sandwiches with names to make the mouth water: Curried Chicken Almond Canapés, Pudding on the Ritz Egg Salad Sandwiches, Cheddar Cheese and Chopped Chive Spread on Brioche Slices, Cucumber Cups with Crab, Avocado, & Bacon, Smoked Salmon on Pumpernickel Bread with Dill Butter and Spanakopitas.
The event also featured a fashion show by Florida designers and models and a raffle with prizes that included original works of art, literature and gift baskets.
“There comes a time in history when the campaign slogan is transformed from cliché to meaningful reality. I believe that this year’s presidential election represents one of those times” said Sandra Bernard-Bastien in introducing the campaign’s co-Chair, Commissioner Stacy Ritter.
Calling attention to the Obama campaign’s “50 States Strategy” and the need to turn out the vote, Ritter, sought to dispel one of the many false rumors surrounding the candidate: “Even though the electoral map may look different this year, don’t let anyone tell you that Florida is not in play,” said Ritter. “Broward County will be one of the key battlegrounds for Obama, because enough votes here can offset votes against him in the rest of the state, allowing him to carry Florida” she added.
Tea for Change raised thousands of dollars in the kind of small donations that have become the hallmark of Obama’s fundraising approach, causing him to outpace his Republican opponent, John McCain, in money raised to date. The fundraising event fully utilized the most up-to-date internet technology as attendees were able to register for the tea party and make their contributions to the campaign directly on Senator Barack Obama’s website.
View a photo album of the event on Face Book:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5620&l=056fd&id=1024254973
