PALS optimistic of raising $35,000 at fair

Organizers of this year’s PALS Fair are optimistic the money raised will match last year’s total of $35,000.

With money tight in the community, funds for the cancer charity are down by up to $1,000 a week, according to organizer Berlene Smith. But demand for its services remains high.

“Our expenses for PALS far outweigh the money coming in. We are about $1,000 per week down on what we normally take in,” said Mrs Smith.

“People are still donating, but it is less, and we understand that. We know everyone is feeling the pinch so we are really grateful for what we can get.”

The charity was hopeful of a good turnout at this year’s fair – the biggest fundraiser on its calender - and numbers did not disappoint.

“We are happy with the fair this year, in fact I think we’ve had slightly more people than usual,” said Mrs Smith.

“I think people are looking for bargains.

“We’ve had a constant crowd since 10am this morning, and some people even stayed until the bingo (at 3pm).

“This morning, some people couldn’t even get in for 20 minutes and so some left and came back again later.”

Clean, Wrap and Box

She said: “We start getting stuff to sell at the fair in May and we store it at our offices at Point Finger Road (Paget). We clean, wash, polish, scrub, wrap and box.

“Even though we grumble when we are cleaning it all, people always say they like coming to the fair because everything is so clean.

“Last year we raised $35,000 including the raffle, so we are hoping this year will match that.”

Fellow organizer Diana Simons added: “We’ve had a constant flow all day and some stalls, such as the White Elephant Stall, even sold out.”

This year was the 33^rd year for the fair, held at St Paul’s Christian Education Centre, Paget.

At the Gold Elephant Stall, which sells crystal, silver, china and other quality tableware, volunteer Pat Lang said: “Cancer has affected all our families – everyone’s lives are touched by it in some way. PALS is a wonderful charity; they do such important work.”

PALS funds cancer patients’ medication and travel to see specialists at hospitals in the US. In Bermuda it also transports patients to see local doctors and specialists, while its five nurses care for up to 120 patients in their homes.

For more information call 236-7257 or see www.pals.bm