It all began in 1987 when two pool boys had shells on a table for sale, with a sign saying “Proceeds will go to the handicapped.â€
This became the seed of an idea that led four members of the Aruba Beach Club to form an organization supported by their friends, called Friends of the Handicapped, with the goal of helping the disadvantaged on the island.
Over the years FOH had raised and distributed over US$1,000,000.00 to various organizations caring for the socially, physically and mentally handicapped residents of Aruba, with 100% of the proceeds given back each year at the end of the winter season, as FOH members head back to their homes in North America after wintering here at the Aruba Beach Club, Casa del Mar & Costa Linda.
Their 2010 fund raising events include a Superbowl Party, on Superbowl Sunday, the much-anticipated Sweethearts’ Ball at the Radisson Aruba Resort Spa & Casino on February 20th, restaurant raffles and weekly collections at the Sunday Holy Mass services at Casa del Mar.
Pictured here Superbowl squares on boards, for sale in the lobby of Casa Del Mar and the Aruba Beach Club for $20 dollars each, with a chance to win $750 or $250 for the reverse score on Superbowl Sunday February 7th, 2010. Also selling, $10 raffle tickets to various restaurants, the raffle is drawn every Wednesday evening 7:30 p.m. in lobby of Casa del Mar. Also available tickets to the Sweethearts Ball, at $90 per person or Awg 150, which include a cocktail hour, open bar for the night, dance music by NBO band members and gourmet dinner with door prizes, and surprises.
Last year’s FOH board members, President Art Stark and his energetic volunteers Steve Wild, Philip Solomon, Maryann La Carruba, Anoushka Maduro, Pauline Daley, Alma Stark, David Ulmschneider, Sal La Carruba, Linda Todman and extra volunteers Jean and Huguette Vatiquette, concluded their winter 2009 fund raising season with over Awg 100,000 in direct donations and in contributions from CEDE Aruba, Centro pa Desaroyo Social di Aruba—the Center for Social Development of Aruba, who matched their contributions, an impressive case of local and tourist collaboration!