events

Graft Wedding Party Undertakes Medical Services Project, March 6, 2010

Alex and Shawn Graft were on a mission Saturday, March 6. Most couples have all they can manage in the lead up to their wedding, but Alex and Shawn do things differently. With their ceremony only a few hours away, Alex and Shawn, along with the Rockhouse Hotel and Foundation team, organized their entire wedding party to undertake a medical service project and fun day at one the Foundation's sponsored schools, the Negril Basic School. With enthusiastic efficiency and care, the gang did wellness, eye, ear and developmental screenings for over 50 children, in some case uncovering conditions requiring follow up that will be coordinated through the Rockhouse Foundation, all the while engaging the children in games, face-painting and read-alouds at the library.

Everyone had a chance to visit and contribute to the newly refurbished and expanded library next door to the school, the Foundation's most recently completed project. At Alex and Shawn's request, every wedding guest carried book donations in lieu of gifts for the couple. The event was an inspiration for the children and families, for all of us. We all send a huge "big up" to Alex, Shawn and their lovely friends and family...

Joe's Pub Dinner, Auction and Performance, October 30, 2009
On October 30th, The Rockhouse Foundation held its Annual Fundraiser at Joe's Pub in New York City. A sell-out crowd of 135 enjoyed Rockhouse's famous Jahitos, a superb meal prepared by James Beard award winning chef Bradford Thompson, and the amazing musical message and vibes of Tanya Stephens backed by the New Kingston Band. The Foundation is celebrating its 5th year transforming places where children learn in Jamaica and, most recently, a dramatic and desperately needed renovation and expansion of the Negril Library. Everyone attending brought their appetites, party vibe and a fantastic spirit of generosity, donating over US$140,000. The funds will be used to overhaul and enlarge the Little Bay All Age School, located in a remote fishing village about 25 minutes from the hotel. The Rockhouse Foundation extends thanks and a huge "big-up" to the staff at Joe's Pub, Bradford Thompson, the astounding Tanya Stephens and most of all, everyone there who made the evening such a great party and huge success for the Foundation.

Negril Library Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, July 30, 2009
On Thursday July 30th the Ribbon Cutting event celebrated the refurbishing and expansion of the Negril Library Branch by the Rockhouse Foundation. There was standing room only at the event Hosted by the Director General of Jamaica Library Services, Patricia Roberts, and featuring a keynote speach from the Jamaican Minister of Education, the Honorable Andrew Holness. Other speakers included the Chairman of the Jamaica Library Board Paul Lalor, Member of Parliament Wykeham Mcneil and our own Peter Rose, President of the Rockhouse Foundation and Paul Salmon, Chairman of the Rockhouse Foundation.

The library is Negril's oldest extant building and housed the original police station. It is located next door to the Negril All Age School and the Negril Basic School, two of the Rockhouse Foundation's previous projects, whose students are amongst the Library's most frequent users. For decades the library has had too little space and resources to meet the growing needs of students and community residents alike. The newly modernized, expanded facility will be almost four times larger, equipped with 15-20 new computers and thousands of new books, a spacious reading room and book stack section, as well as a colorful and engaging junior library.

When the Rockhouse Foundation teamed with the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) and the Negril community some 18 months ago to discuss the proposed library renovation it never imagined what a radically successful process was about to unfold. Armed with an inspired vision jointly crafted with JLS, a committee of local residents, and architects Chris Stone and David Douglass of Cornerstone Design, we broke ground last July and have now handed over a signature addition to the Negril community.

The new, improved library space will be a much needed resource and reflects the Foundation's ambition to support learning for children of all ages. With the completion of the library, the Rockhouse Hotel and Foundation has invested approximately J$100 million in community projects benefiting children since 2004

Joe's Pub Dinner, Auction and Performance, October 20, 2008
The Rockhouse Foundation's annual fundraiser was held at Joe's Pub on October 20, 2008 in New York City. Joe's Pub, located in the Public Theater on Lafayette Avenue, is one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance. Attendees of the event sampled custom designed "JAHitos" - the Rockhouse version of the classic Mohito, and enjoyed a first class three course dinner prepared by Bradford Thompson, Executive Chef at Lever House Restaurant. Following a highly successful auction led by Christie's own Catalina Dehaertig, the Budos Band performed an insprired Afro-Soul set. The event raised over US$100,000 for the Foundation. We would like to thank Kevin Abbot and his phenomenal staff at Joe's Pub and all of the supporters for their time and support.

Joe's Pub Dinner, Auction and Performance, September 26th, 2007
Sponsored by Appleton Rum, T Edward Wines, Christies, the Lever House, Joe's Pub and singer/songwriter Citizen Cope who soulfully performed a beautiful acoustic set, the event was a great success. We would like to thank all of the people who so generously donated auction items, time, and money.

Ride For Life - Kingston to Negril, October 14th, 2006
The Jamaica Cycling Federation sponsored the Third Annual Ride For Life, a charity bicycle ride from Kingston to Negril (140 miles!). Proceeds from the event of US$10,000 were evenly split between the Jamaica Cancer Society and the Rockhouse Foundation. Over 120 riders and ten sponsors made this year's event the most successful yet. The Jamaica Cycling Federation and the Rockhouse Foundation look forward to building on momentum that was so evident at the finish line in the years to come.

Chinatown Brasserie Dinner and Auction - May 23rd, 2006
Rockhouse Foundation hosted a dinner and live auction at Chinatown Brasserie on May 23, 2006. Chinatown Brasserie is the latest restaurant opened by Green Apple Group, the people behind Lever House Restaurant, Lure Fishbar and Joe's Pub. The Brasserie Dinner and Auction event raised US$100,000 for the Foundation. Thank you Green Apple Group for your warm hospitality and big ups to the generous people who donated and acquired auction items.

"Show and Sell" Photography Auction At Milk Gallery - Feb. 2005
The Small Dark Room and Picturehouse, one of the premier digital and conventional photography production company in New York City, underwrote a Photography Exhibit and Silent Auction featuring works by some of the world's most renowned photographers including Annie Liebovitz, Tom Munro, David Sims, Mikael Janssen, Tierney Gearon, Nathaniel Goldberg, Sofia Coppola, Richard Kern, Martin Schoeller and Jock Sturges. Over 130 Photographic works were auctioned at the event, all donated by clients of The Small Dark Room and Picturehouse. Over 1000 people attended and the Small Dark Room presented the Rockhouse Foundation with a donation of US$40,000 from the proceeds generated by the event.

Mos Def at Joe's Pub for the Rockhouse Foundation, December 2, 2004 with a pre-event Dinner at Lure Fishbar
Uber-renaissance man Mos Def--part crooner, stage and film scene-stealer, and all around mic controller--performed songs from his eclectic album The New Danger to benefit the Rockhouse Foundation. Mos Def displayed his considerable talent to an enthusiastic standing room only crowd of almost 200 Foundation supporters. The Foundation's first public fundraiser netted almost US$30,000. Many thanks to Mos Def, Dream Hampton, Tina Farris, Joe's Pub, and Lure Fishbar along with all those who attended and helped to make the evening such a success.

Reach Up for Children - November 13, 2004
In another first of its kind, a wonderful, grassroots event was organized by Ed Kelley of Essex, CT. Ed and many of his friends have been regular visitors to Negril for years. They became virtual members of the community after Hurricane Ivan, when they helped relieve the enormous burden the storm caused so many Negril residents and businesses. In all, the event raised in excess of US$3,000.

The Foundation is profoundly grateful to Ed and his friends for their support and compassion for the citizens of Negril, and we hope that Ed's successful event will be an inspiration for others to consider doing the same. The Rockhouse Foundation is, at its core, a grassroots endeavor, and collaborative efforts of this kind are the most powerful endorsement of the importance of our mission.

Ribbon Cutting at Negril All Age School, October 15, 2004
The official reopening of the Negril All Age School took place on Thursday October 14th, 2004 and formally celebrated the refurbishment and expansion of the school, the first project undertaken by the Rockhouse Foundation. USAID's Mission Director Karen Turner was the featured guest speaker. In addition, Westmoreland's Member of Parliament, and Minister of State for Tourism, Dr. Wykeham McNeil, was among a number of other distinguished guests which also included Miss Jamaica Universe 2003, Christine Straw. The Cliff Reynolds, the President of the Negril Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Negril All Age's School Board as well as representatives from the Rockhouse Foundation, jointly undertook the official ribbon cutting. At the event, Rockhouse Foundation Chairman, Paul Salmon, said, "I am delighted that the Foundation's first project in Jamaica has been so well received by the Negril community, and in particular the children and families of the Negril All Age School."

Hauschildt Wedding, Rockhouse Hotel, October 2004
Mark and Chris Hauschildt love Jamaica. They have been regular visitors for many years, literally traveling across the globe from their home in Sweden to reach their adopted home in Negril. Therefore, it was neither a surprise to Chris's family in Brazil, nor Mark's in Scandinavia when they decided to gather at the Rockhouse to celebrate their wedding in October. Knowing Mark and Chris, it also probably came as no surprise when they requested that the entire wedding party of 140+ guests make donations to the Rockhouse Foundation in lieu of traditional wedding gifts.

The Hauschildts and their guests raised approximately US$20,000 to directly support programs and capital investment in the Negril All Age School. Rockhouse Foundation Directors, along with the staff, school board, administration, students and families of the Negril All Age School extend profound gratitude to Mark, Chris, their family and friends for the their generous human and charitable spirit.

Computer Donation, Fall 2004
Geoff and Genevieve Siebengartner are regular visitors as well as having been married at the Rockhouse. They both are posted at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston and during their assignment in Jamaica have been active volunteers, supporting needy citizens. Geoff organized a donation of ten high quality, late model computers for the technology and literacy center at the Negril All Age School, a critical contribution to the overall improvements achieved at the School. Today, with help from Nancy Ferrone, a Peace Corps volunteer, the center is bursting with children eagerly learning basic computer skills, improving their literacy and numeracy, while reducing class sizes as they rotate through the center during the day.

Geoff and Genevieve embody the kind of generosity and enthusiasm for the Foundation's work that is so much in evidence amongst our guests at the Hotel. We are deeply appreciative for their efforts on behalf of the Foundation and more importantly, the children and community we serve.