Rotary International Atop Sydney Harbour Bridge—Smashing World Records to Help Eradicate Polio

James Sarles, incoming President of Rotary Club of GB Sunrise

Greetings from Sydney, Australia from the Rotary International Convention. I am excited to be part of History when we smashed two world records to raise funds and awareness about polio eradication. On the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.  I climbed the bridge with 340 Rotarians from around the world and waived 278 flags. Watch the video by clicking on the link here.

We raised funds to immunize about 240,000 children against polio, which is a disease without a cure. 

http://kxan.com/2014/05/30/two-world-records-smashed-atop-sydney-harbor-bridge/

Rotary of GB Sunrise Hosts Successful Annual Cigar Nights 2014 Event to Benefit Columbus House Big Brother/Big Sister Youth Mentoring Program

Over 300 people turned out Saturday evening, May 17, 2014 and had a fabulous time at a vintage Havana-themed “Cigar Nights” event at Pelican Bay Hotel’s Canal House to support Rotary of GB Sunrise’s youth mentoring program, the Safe Swim program, and Cat’s Eye road reflector work.

Latin music was provided by a band featuring Steve Persaud, Clarence Green, Larry Lewis, and Marina Gottlieb Sarles, together with a special performance by the teens at Columbus House who have been taking music lessons as part of the ongoing youth mentoring in the Big Brother/Big Sister program.  The music added festive notes to the party, which also included top prizes donated by the community and auctioned off “Chinese style” —which gives raffle ticket buyers a chance to choose which prizes they’re interested in winning via how they distribute their tickets.

Latin-themed food, salsa dancing, hand-rolled cigars courtesy of Graycliff Nassau, a appearance by Miss Grand Bahama, and rum sampling also rounded out the popular party—which included lots of fun photo props and opportunities to show off fedoras and vintage Havana-inspiredfashion.

Incoming Rotary of GB Sunrise President, James Sarles, commended the committee on their work in putting the event together and noted, “We are so pleased to see the community come together to support our youth mentoring of these young men and women at Columbus House. It is inspiring to see support from everywhere in Grand Bahama join forces to have a really fun evening and to give time and funds to continue our work in the community. Thank you to everyone who attended and volunteered to make this an extra special event—including Pelican Bay Hotel, Columbus Communications, BWA, B & B Galaxy Waste Management, Gaylord Taylor, Paint Fair, Cafferata &  Co., The Dames Family, Reef Golf Course, Old Bahama Bay, Longs Marine, UNEXSO, Roosters Party Bus, Malvese Capron, JS Johnson, Ryan Carroll, Flying Fish Restaurant, Maitland Cates, and Global Tech Services.”

Hand rolled cigars were demonstrated by expert cigar roller from Graycliff, Nassau

CROWD:  Attendees of Cigar Nights 2014 applaud a musical performance by members of the Columbus House Big Brother / Big Sister Youth Mentoring program.

Teens from Columbus House play a musical number with Spanish guitar teacher, Steve Persaud and the Latin Band at Cigar Nights 2014

Teens from Columbus House

Teens from Columbus House getting ready for their musical performance at Cigar Nights 2014

WORKING TOGETHER: Rotary Club of GB Sunrise brings together a fabulous party to support their community improvement work in Grand Bahama

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Brittney Baldwin and James Sarles of Rotary Club of GB Sunrise Big Brother / Big Sister Youth Mentoring Committee

For more photos of Cigar Nights 2014 on the Rotary Club of GB Sunrise Facebook Page—click here.

Rotary of GB Sunrise's 4th Annual Cigar Nights: May 17th at Pelican Bay Canal House

Dear Friends, As many of you may know I am the President Elect of The Rotary Club of GB Sunrise on Grand Bahama Island. One of our Rotary club projects that I am very passionate about is the Columbus House Big Brother Big Sister Youth Mentoring Program for abandoned, abused children. We have made great strides with these children and we continue to give these kids help throughout the year with your continued support.   Our annual fundraiser to benefit Columbus House Big Brother Big Sister Program is CIGAR NIGHTS  May 17th at Pelican Bay, Canal House and I ask you to please come out have fun and support the Big Brother Big Sister Program and our other community projects. Facebook Event Page Link  https://www.facebook.com/events/295528030603243/   BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND ROTARY CLUB OF GB SUNRISE 4th ANNUAL CIGAR NIGHTS 2014 SATURDAY MAY 17th at Pelican Bay, Canal House. 7pm Tickets $50 Available at the Door and other locations in advance The party is at Pelican Bay, Canal House on May 17th for Rotary Club of GB Sunrise 4th Annual Cigar Nights. Enjoy Food, Fun, Prizes, Salsa Girls, Unkle Sam DJ, Latin Band with Steve Persaud, Larry Lewis, Clarence Green and Marina Sarles,  VIP Rum Tasting, Authentic Cuban Cigar Roller from Greycliff., Columbus House Latin Band Performance, Chinese Auction Prizes including iPhone 4S, iPad, Beats Headphones, Keurig Coffee Maker, iPods, Nano and more.   Dress Vintage Havana   This event benefits Columbus House Big Brother/Big Sister Program, Safe Swim, Cats Eyes and More. Tickets $50 Available at BWA (Wayne), JS Johnson ( Allan), James Sarles Realty (Jamie), Waugh Construction ( Kevin), Bahamas Industrial Technologies ( Jonathan), GBPA ( Felix), Container Port (Malvese), AGT Security, (Gaylord), OBS ( Jamie),Tropical Shipping ( Ivan), Cates and Co. ( Maitland), Chappies (Chappy). Sweet Affairs (Brittany and Keenan), Cable Bahamas, (Edris), Taino Beach Resort ( Dwayne), Future Properties ( Don), Benchmark Consulting Services (Billy Bowe) or any GB Sunrise Rotarian.  Show your ticket and get 10% off at UNEXSO.   Lots of extra outdoor sitting area.  See you at Cigar Nights.  TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR   The Rotary Club Of GB Sunrise Big Brother Big Sister Youth Mentoring  Program founded by James Sarles has been operating on Grand Bahama for over 10 years. The program focuses on  boys and girls ages 14 -17 who have been placed in Columbus House by Department Of Social Services to protect them from abusive and unacceptable living environments. The main goal of the Rotary Program is to provide positive adult role models and opportunities for healthy interaction outside their immediate environment. The program has seen very positive results and is changing lives. The program is primarily funded by Rotary Club Of GB Sunrise Cigar Nights fundraiser.   The activities include: Weekly Martial Arts Instruction and life skills with professor Ivan Moss of Jaguar School Of Jujitsu Weekly Conflict Management sessions with Rev Wayne Carey Weekly Music program with Steve Persaud and Larry Lewis Weekly Tutoring Programs Individual Mentor Program with Rotarians Organized Group Activities with Brittney Silvera Transportation for all activities Job Program for residents when they age out of the system Christmas Gift Program