The Aranda Ballroom at the Amari Pattaya was once again the venue for Jesters Care for Kids annual Gala Party Night. Following the usual format, guests assembled in the reception area to partake of welcoming refreshments offered by the Amari staff and had the opportunity to purchase tickets for the Grand Raffle.
Jesters Committee was on hand to allocate seating and sell tickets. Once inside emcee for the night, Tommy Dee, popular local radio personality, introduced JC4K Chairman Lewis [Woody] Underwood, who welcomed the guests and made a speech outlining the aims and activities of Jesters Care for Kids. Special mention and thanks was given to long time supporters of Jesters, a power point presentation in the background displayed some pictorial highlights of the past years activities.
The buffet was declared open and guests filled plates with a sumptuous array of delicacies. Well done, Amari! Soft jazz delivered by Keith Wilson on keyboards and talented, young vocalist, Henrietta Rhodes, accompanied the rattle of cutlery, until our emcee introduced auctioneer, John Collingbourne, to conduct the first of two sections for the auction.
Spirited bidding for feature items saw the sum raised reach over B200,000. Of particular interest was a signed hockey stick from legendary Wayne Gretzky; a Stratocaster guitar hand-made by Niven; a golfing package donated by CUEL and to other donated artworks. Many other items were on display for the silent bidding too. The second section of the auction and the grand raffle draw were carried out later in the evening with Stuart Shearer claiming the first prize of a Honda PCX 150 motorcycle. (Note: The rest of the winners are attached in this article.) The grand raffle raised an additional B155,000 and our thanks to all who donated prizes.
The featured entertainer for the evening was Paul Jackson. Paul is recognized as the lead singer of one of the first ever Queen tribute bands and has toured the world as Freddie Mercury fronting his Queen B band for the past 12 years. Though performing without his band and under difficult conditions Paul, aka Freddy Mercury, wowed the crowd; his performance was electrifying and energetic and his engagement with the audience was immediate and personal. And they all loved it! Seldom has such a talented performer appeared in Pattaya and it was easy to see that his reputation was well-earned.
But that was not all; after shedding his Freddie persona, Paul returned to the stage as lead singer with Paul and Pals, who had guests shuffling and shaking to the soft rock and dance music, while some even danced competently. Truly an evening to remember. Many thanks to Paul for donating his time and talent.
Another great night thanks to the efforts of the Jesters committee and all the entertainers who give so generously to the cause. Over the past 19 years these and other likeminded individuals, businesses and corporations have enabled Jesters Care for Kids to distribute almost B80,000,000 [yes million] to disabled and disadvantaged children in our community, and this represents over 97% of all collections. As an example, since 2008, we have had 15 university graduates, including one who has completed a Masters degree in law, and 5 others working on their Bachelor degrees, with more attending vocational colleges.
When you consider that most of these began without customary registration and have been funded by JC4K since kindergarten, that is some achievement. In addition, there are few children’s homes, care centres or orphanages in the surrounding area that at some time have not reached out to JC4K for assistance. Education is not the sole focus of JC4K, as there is also a great emphasis placed on the disabled, medically and mentally afflicted. We also work in concert with many outreach organizations that identify these unfortunate children.
Food supplies are for some of these institutions, and for wheelchairs and walking aids for disabled. With your help, we can continue to give safe shelter and improve the life of those less fortunate in our community.
For more information please visit our website www.care4kids.info
A list of prizewinners for the Grand Raffle can also be found on these pages. Prizes can be collected by contacting Deb at 0899825814.
Auction Items list final bids
| Item | Donator | Final bids |
| Another beautiful hand-made electric guitar by Niven | Niven Walters | 37,000 baht – JD Eisenberg |
| Antique Chinese painting on porcelain (75 cm x 55 cm) | Committee member | 12,000 baht- James Spears |
| CUEL Classic golf event 2017 voucher for 4-ball team +++ |
Russell White | 55,000 baht – Lou Holub |
| Al Pacino autographed ‘Scarface’ poster (28 cm x 43 cm) | Anon | 20,000 baht Lou Holub |
| Harley Davidson king size hand made quilt | Jim Truesdale | 7000 baht – Nina Smith |
| Lithograph of Munch’s ‘The Scream’ | Anon | Reserve bid not met |
| Johnnie Walker 3-bottle set in case | Joe Banks | 21,000 baht – Anthony Egan |
| Wayne Gretzky signed hockey stick | Bill Simonick | 30,000 baht – Mark Westendorf |
Grand Raffle Prizes 2016
| Prize | Donator | Winner | Ticket Number |
| – Honda PCX 150 | Jesters MC | Stuart | 4615 |
| – Trip for 4 to River Kwai | Judi McNamara | Keith | 4622 |
| – Men’s Guess dress watch | Committee member | Dave | 31 |
| – International AkzonNobel golf tour bag | CUEL | Gator | 1984 |
| – Dusit Thani 3,000 baht dinner voucher | CUEL | Jez Lees | 4693 |
| – Havana & Terrazzo Restaurant | Holiday Inn | Look | 1303 |
| at Holiday Inn Pattaya 2,000 baht voucher | |||
| – Diana Garden Resort – 1 night stay inc. ABF for 2 PAX | Diana Garden Resort | Brian | 172 |
| – Diana Garden Resort – 1 night stay inc. ABF for 2 PAX | Diana Garden Resort | Tom Bacon | 267 |
| – Miss T’s Cake Creations 1lb cake or 12 cupcakes | TJ Tomyim | Joe – Whitehouse | 705 |
| – Miss T’s Cake Creations 1lb cake or 12 cupcakes | TJ Tomyim | Terry SG | 1295 |
| – 2 night stay at Junior Apartment, Pattaya | David Wild | Elfi | 4527 |
| – 2 night stay at Junior Apartment, Pattaya | David Wild | Fox | 4920 |
| – Hamper of English products | Swimpex | Took Ta | 1512 |
| – Herbalife Tabata Aero Kick | Shinta Waters | Jonathan Grimacci | 4552 |
| – Herbalife Tabata Aero Kick | Shinta Waters | Tom Romy? | 286 |
| – The London Pie. 10 Pies | London Pie | ? | 388 |
| – The London Pie. 10 Pies | London Pie | Khanittha Sungesak | 164 |
| – Dang Beauty Salon 500 baht voucher | Khun Dang | Robert | 55 |
| – ECO LED lights | Ricky England | Brian | 155 |
| – ECO LED lights | Ricky England | Neil Sandipants | 921 |
| – ECO LED lights | Ricky England | Torn Shackerford | 4519 |
| – ECO LED lights | Ricky England | NIVEN!!!! | 841 |
