On Saturday, Feb. 12, 100 ticketed guests and sponsors attended Project Promise’s sixth annual fundraiser in support of its Caterpillar Project program. This year’s theme was “The Tobacco Fields of Cuba.” Project Promise was excited to bring this community favorite back in-person, where attendees enjoyed live Cuban music, authentic Cuban dishes, an online silent auction, fun surprises, and a chance to win a trip for two to Cuba. This year’s lucky winner is Tilda Rougier.
The Havana Nights event was held on the beautiful grounds of the Estate Whim Museum and Great House. In accordance with local safety protocols, it was a fully vaccinated event, and guests’ vaccination status was confirmed by the V.I. Department of Health ahead of the event. All guests were also required to undergo COVID-19 rapid testing on the day of the event. In an effort to make our event safer, Project Promise partnered with the University of the Virgin Islands School of Nursing to provide free drive-thru rapid testing to all sponsors, guests and volunteers.
Officials from Project Promise combined the Havana Nights fundraiser with its annual Youth Recognition event to showcase three high school students and spotlight their accomplishments over the last school year. St. Croix Educational Complex senior Nicholas Girard, St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) senior Ti’Quan Hermon, and St. Croix Central High School senior Jolisa Gifft were all honored Saturday as this year’s Project Promise Youth Recognition Award recipients.
They had been selected by school officials based on criteria provided to them by Project Promise. Each student received a $500 scholarship, an award certificate, a custom-made handcrafted plaque and a gift donated by Crucian Gold for their accomplishments over the last year.
The proceeds from Havana Nights benefited Project Promise’s Caterpillar Project, which is a long-term program designed to make a significant difference in the lives of at-risk youth on St. Croix.
Project Promise thanks the community, its sponsors, and all the individuals who helped to make Havana Nights a success; Over $30,000 was raised during this fundraising event.
