Press Release after Sweet Jazz Fundraiser
ROTARY PORTSMOUTH SWEET JAZZ IS A SWEET SUCCESS!
(Portsmouth, September 18th 2014) The renovation and re-equipping of the Portsmouth Hospital Emergency Room is closer to becoming a reality following the successful staging of Sweet Jazz at the Ross University Annex in Picard Saturday Sept 13. The fundraiser, organized by the Rotary Club of Portsmouth in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Ross University and the Portsmouth Hospital, raised in excess of EC$70,000. This project, which will improve the quality of care for all persons needing emergency services in the Northern Health District, is one of many projects being coordinated by the Rotary Club of Portsmouth.
Morrison Azille, President of the Club, thanked all those who attended the event for making it a resounding success. “This was our first event of this nature and we are extremely grateful for the tremendous support that we received from those who partnered with us, purchased tickets and sponsored the event through donations in cash or kind. With their assistance we will be able to continue the Rotary Club tradition in Dominica of providing infrastructure support for the health sector and, based on feedback, the event could very well become an annual one,” stated Azille.
The sponsors included: Diamond sponsor - Ross University School of Medicine, Platinum sponsors - E.H.Charles & Co. Ltd. and Domlec, Gold spnsors - Kootney Resorts, Scotia Bank, Pic N’ Go and Lime, and Silver sponsors - Avies Ville, Jays, Tomato, Fort Young, Cobra Tours, Bullseye Pharmacy, J. Astaphan & Co. Ltd., National Bank of Dominica, Abolo Technologies and EMS. 
The Rotary Club of Portsmouth also wishes to acknowledge a very special donation received from the Armour Family: Armour West Indies Ltd, Mrs. Janice Armour & Family and Mr. Reginald F. Armour & Family.
Significant progress has already been made in terms of coordinating the redesign effort and engaging potential contractors. The project will begin before the end of the year and be completed no later than July, 2015.
About Rotary in Dominica and Projects in the Health Sector
Rotary Clubs identify needs in the Communities that they serve and take actions to satisfy those needs. Clubs frequently partner with Private sector companies, government ministries or agencies and other Rotary Clubs to raise funds to satisfy identified needs.
The Rotary Club of Dominica raised funds and constructed a building at a cost of some $800,000 dollars over the four year period 1979 to 1983 to house the Psychiatric unit. In April of 1983 the Rotary club handed over a 36 bed Psychiatric Unit to the Government and People of Dominica.
Over the years Rotary Club has also been involved in refurbishment of washrooms at the Princess Margaret hospital and repainting the roof of the Marigot Hospital.
For the past nineteen years Rotary has worked with the Dominica Ministry of health and the Voluntary Optometric Services to Humanity group of Michigan in the United States to provide eye care services across Dominica.
About Rotary in Dominica and Rotary International
The Rotary Club of Portsmouth forms part of Rotary International, a worldwide non-profit service club with more than 1.2 million members. Rotary International initiates projects that address critical issues such as hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy.
The Portsmouth Rotary Club's aim is to provide community service in areas like health care, education, environmental awareness and community tourism. Weekly meetings of the club are held every Thursday at 5.30pm at Riverside Restaurant in Picard. The club looks forward to welcoming prospective members.
Information about Rotary International can be found at www.Rotary.org
Information about the Rotary Club of Portsmouth www.rotaryportsmouth.org