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 Guests at The Ricardo Ramharrack Foundation 3rd annual dinner
By Senetha Johnson
The Ricardo Ramharrack Foundation hosted the 3rd annual dinner, dance, and fashion show June 30, 2007 at the Melbourne Auditorium.
“This is a benefit to help children reach for the stars,” said Olga “Dawn” Ramharrack enthusiastically, “My son, Ricardo lost his life, but is still inspiring the lives of others. It is such a great feeling to have a dream and very rewarding to actually see it come to life. We are trying to give students from single parent families help in obtaining higher education by raising money and giving them $1,000.00 scholarships. We try to raise enough money to help at least 4 kids every year”.
It was a very elegant event. The families and friends present were all decked out and had a wonderful time.
Wayne Savage, master of ceremony, is the president of the Brevard Caribbean American Sports & Cultural Association, Inc. (BCASCA). “The Caribbean culture feels that family values instilled will bring about family balance. The children are in most cases emulating what they see,” stated Mr. Savage. “Fathers you must strive to do better and mothers carry yourselves with dignity and decency and we can rescue our children. If we as a community value one another we can break the chains that are holding our children back”.
Guest speaker Peggy Yelverton was one of Ricardo Ramharrack’s teachers. “I am honored to speak on behalf of the teachers of Brevard Public Schools. I love to support anything that will positively influence children to do better. Kids are our future and the ability to speak about the importance of education for them is very passionate. There is a saying that ‘The road to success is not straight; there is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, red lights called enemies, caution lights called family and flats tires called jobs; but if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called success.’ The power of your words can make a difference.”
The gala event continued gracefully. Marcia Fraser and Olga Ramharrack presented two scholarship winners. The first one was Felicia Jarrod, a member of “BCASCA” youth group. Brenda Joseph accepted the scholarship for her. The second scholarship went to Laura Beth Medeiros whose mother, Lisa Blades, accepted for her. “I think it is absolutely fabulous that out of tragedy this mother has found a way to bless so many”.
This was definitely a cultural event. There was an Indian dance performed by Charm Ross and Mijan Ramharrack. The entertainment did not stop there. The “Evidence of Praise” performed two praise dances. The evening was filled with excitement. There was a fashion show where the children modeled fashions from TJ Maxx and Freestyle Clothing.
This foundation was created in order to give back to those who desire to continue their growth in education,” stated Debbie Sutherland, secretary of the foundation. “Whatever is done to benefit youth is always worthwhile”, said Charmaine Lawrence, also a secretary for the foundation.
“It is a very good opportunity for children and e can also extend mentoring for the youth”, said Marcia Fraser, Ricardo Ramharrack’s aunt. A young man by the name of Darius Ramos sang, Whitney Houston’s “The Greatest Love of All”. It certainly fit the occasion. Today is a celebration of a dream that came to life. When we don’t just stand on the sidelines but lend a helping hand, goals can be accomplished. I am overjoyed that my son’s love can still touch so many jives”, the mother of the foundation, Olga Dawn Ramharrack, lovingly expressed. |
