The Season of Giving theme continues to resonate in the local community. On Sunday night it was New India’s turn to shower social causes with attention.
The company has been publishing a personality calendar for the past 17 years. Eleven years ago, the drawing of the personalities was entrusted to Dominica-born artist Charito Chavez, who has been a resident of Aruba for many years.
She also produced the 2018 edition, first snapping a picture of her subjects, then executing the portrait on canvas. The portraits are not idealized representation of their masters; they are Charito’s interpretation of what she sees.
The evening took place at the Marriott Aruba Resort & Stellaris Casino ballroom, and emcee Cheryldine Buckley did an excellent job moving the evening along as Kaveri Raghunath, Managing Director New India Assurance Aruba, artist Charitto Chavez, and Operations Manager Gay Spellen, called their calendar personalities on stage for a photo opportunity and a check presentation.
This year to commemorate the company’s 55th anniversary each calendar personality was privileged with a check to a charity of their choice, Awg 1,055, in memory of the visionary patriarch Ch. H. Raghunath who started his insurance business in St. Nicholas in 1963 at the back of his jewelry store.
January: Sarah Quita Offringa. She appeared twice before on the calendar, in 2007 and 2006 when she first became World Windsurfing Champion. She has since repeated the feat 14 times, and returns to the calendar as Aruba’s best athlete. Her charity of choice was Centro Juvenil Washington, dedicated to after-school activities.
February: Kevin Gumbs. He is a young dancer and choreograph, a dance teacher in the Netherlands, who frequently works in Aruba to promote artistic expression. His charity of choice was the Gang di Arte.
March: Clyde Harms. He is the founder of the Aruba Scholarship Foundation, a columnist and writer, a published author of three books who was already bestowed the honor of Ridder in de Orde van Oranje Nassau, by the Dutch royal house. His check went to Nuevo Mundo Foundation, promoting classical music.
April: Greg Peterson. The founder of Aruba Birdlife Conservation, he is an environmentalist, battling on behalf of the island’s Fauna and Flora. His check went to Aruba Marine Mammal Foundation.
May: Rona Coster. She is a writer, a columnist, and radio personality, art lover, and author of Island Life, a recently published book about Aruba. Her support went to Fundacion Adopt an Addict, running Cas Speranza, a halfway house in Moko, for men in early recovery.
June: Ewald Biemans. The owner of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort is a global voice for sustainable tourism and the motor behind “Stimami, Sterilisami,” an island wide spay and neuter program. His donation went to Animal Rights Aruba.
July: Aksel Samardzic. Aruba’s only professional Beach Tennis player, ranked among the world’s top ten. His check went to Fundacion pa nos Muchanan, in protection of kids.
August: Troubadour Etty Toppenberg. He was on the calendar once already in 2001. This year he is celebrating 55 years in music. One of his greatest contributions to our community is the weekly free concert at Djiespies Place on main street, every Friday, entertaining the elderly. His check went to Crijojo Trappers, running a spay and neuter program targeting street dogs and cats.
September: Damilice Mansur. She is a talented photographer, with a focus on nature and conservation of fauna and flora. Her contribution went to Aruba Birdlife Foundation.
October: Gino Frans. He is the founder of Eliezer Foundation, a halfway farm sheltering men in early recovery. His donation went to La Posada, dedicated to land cultivation and drug free living.
November: Esha Alwani. She is a 16 year old singer, composer, who already launched two CDs, “Beautiful” and “Dangerous,” describing her personal journey of healing and growth. Her check went to Fundacion Autismo.
December: Ethan Westera. The young windsurfer professional, with various world titles gave his donation to the Sonrisa foundation, dedicated to kids with learning disabilities.
Congratulations New India Assurance, on your cultural and social contributions. Not bad for a company established in Mumbai, India, in 1919.
Thank you Jean Antoine Baptiste, steel pan, and Etty Toppenberg and friends, for the entertainment.
