Calypso Monarch Red Plastic Bag Wows the Crowd at the 6th Annual Barbados Charity Ball in Toronto

Last weekend, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre hosted the 6th Annual Barbados Charity Ball themed "Sunset Barbados" with an elaborate gathering of approximately 600 guests including many distinguished guests.

Popular Storyteller Itah Sadu MC'd the event while Chancellor of the University of the West Indies and UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for HIV/Aids to the Caribbean, Sir George Alleyne, served as the Keynote speaker.

His Excellency, E. Evelyn Greaves, High Commissioner of Barbados to Canada, Michael Mansoor, Executive Chairman, FirstCaribbean International, Leroy McClean, Consul General and Honorable Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion, Government of Ontario were all in attendance. Eugene Melnyk, Owner and Chairman of Trimel Investments and the Ottawa Senators, was the Presenting Sponsor for this year's event, but was unable to attend due to a last minute trip to Florida.

Performances during dinner were provided by Musicians Arturo Tappin, Eddie Bullen, his teenage son Quincy Bullen and Vocalist Tamara Marshall. Prince Cave and the All Stars provided musical entertainment for the dance after dinner, while special guest Red Plastic Bag, an eight time Calypso Monarch, got the audience dancing on their feet to some popular calypso tunes.

The event also included a live auction with artwork and jewellery auctioned off for thousands of dollars and a special presentation of scholarships to five worthy Toronto recipients: Mark Brathwaite, pursuing law school this fall; Jefferson Broomes, aspiring to own his own business in day and pursuing studies in the automative and business sector; Sherise Innis-Hall, currently studying Business Marketing at Seneca College and working towards her Bachelors of Business Degree and Masters of Business Administration; Chanele Jordan, an Honour student planning to attend University this fall; and Leo Robinson, who has earned a BSc in Mathematics and Physics with Honours from University of the West Indies and currently studying Aerospace Engineering at Ryerson University.

Dr. Juliet M. Daniel, an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario received the Errol Walton Barrow award which recognizes oustanding and positive role models who impact youth. Daniel also received a crystal trophy and a one-week vacation for two at a Barbados' luxury resort courtesy of Almond Resorts.

Unsung Hero awards were given to Diana Evelyn who continuously provides clothing for people in need and Deborah Ann DeSouza, a Manager for Worldwide Premium Services and Maple Leaf Lounge Toronto. DeSouza's team was instrumental in co-ordinating the return of the family of a woman from Ottawa, Ontario who was robbed and subquently died while on vacation in Barbados in March.

A moment of silence before dinner recognized former President of the Barbados Charity Ball, John A. Rollock, an Information Technology executive in the Ontario Government and private sector who passed away earlier this year.

The Barbados Ball Canada Aid provides financial assistance to charitable organizations that provide HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs and this year donated $10,000 to the University of West Indies HIV/AIDS Response Program (UWI HARP) to assist the widespread epidemic in Barbados.