The Jester's 'Care for Kids' Charity Drive, now in it's 5th year, amounts to a well organized program of support, activities, and events that singularly set out to raise money to help the underprivileged children in the area through three deserving and hard working charities. Namely the Redemptorist School for the Blind in Naklua, the Child Welfare Protection Institute in Huay Pong, and the Fountain of Life Childrens Center in Pattaya.

Seven Platinum Sponsors and partner The Diana Group top the ever-growing list of companies and individuals donating to the 2002 Charity Drive, and a complete list of 'all-category' gold, silver, and bronze sponsors will appear in a special Pattaya Mail feature next month (September 2002). For the moment we acknowledge the following organizations and thank them for their platinum level support:

Chonburi Siam Steel Mill Services
Rieckermann Engineering
Pattaya Mail
Shenanigans
Orkide Ekspressen
the MBMG International Company
Sailor Inn

The Pledge

However, recognizing the need to attract sponsors at a lower and more flexible level, a new scheme, Jesters 'Pledge for Kids', was introduced in June 2002 providing the opportunity to pledge monthly donations for a calendar year at two levels. Corporate Gold/Silver at 2000 Baht or 1000 Baht and Private at 1000 Baht or 500 Baht, Gold/Silver respectively.

For more information e-mail pledge@care4kids.info or visit our website at www.care4kids.info/pledge.

Central to the Jesters Charity Drive are the events and activities. Sunday September 15th is the date for the Children's Fair, this year at the ideally located Diana Garden Lodge & Driving Range, North Pattaya. Full details about the Fair, the stalls, and many attractions on the day will be covered in a future article. The focal point at the Fair will be the stage with live bands playing throughout the day, and an entertainment program by children and adults especially for the children. We have a superb sound system this year, kindly sponsored by Rick Bryant, to ensure that we hear everything that's going on.

Horseshoe Point will be there with pony rides, a superb Marching Band from one of the local schools, Muay Thai boxing, Bouncy Castle, the adventurous Climbing Wall, and the Tug-O-War. Over fifty stalls will offer a huge variety of goods, including the famous second-hand bookshop, a Video/Hi-Fi & Computer stall, and a Popcorn stall.

'Barnie' the giant Biker Bear will sit pride of place at the Children's Raffle stall waiting for a new home to go to, surrounded by the many valuable prizes to be won in this year's Children's Raffle. Then there is the Beer Tent run by Jesters Committee man Neil. All the beer is donated and you too can help by donating a case (cost 700 Baht) knowing that the beer will be sold in the Beer Garden at 50 Baht a can and the 1200 Baht profit going directly to the children. This is the place to relax, have a cold one and watch the stage show. You can e-mail Neil and donate a case of beer at nspec@loxinfo.co.th. We will personally thank you on the day and publish your name in Pattaya Mail.

From 10 am to 5 pm it promises to be an entertaining and fun day for the family.

Jesters Kevin is the powerhouse behind the Fair organization and, as an extra attraction, 500 Baht will motivate our Kevin to let rip with his mega-decibel 'gorilla call' occasionally heard, but never forgotten, in TQ (provided he agrees).

That's later. First off at 8.00 am are the Charity Bike Riders led by enthusiastic organizer Kim, Shenanigan's landlord, and headed by Jesters Bob 'Scar' Taylor on his spotless Harley. Safety is assured by the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital Duty Ambulance Unit and the Volunteer Tourist Police en route. B.T. Insurance is the Charity Bike Ride sponsor; Baltex are donating the shirts; and all the 300 Baht entry fees go to the children as does the sponsorship money the bikers raise from family and friends. Sponsorship forms are all over town, will be in Pattaya Mail or download today from our website www.care4kids.info

The Pub Night

Six days later at Shenanigans, on Saturday 21st September, the Grand Pub Night takes place featuring the Grand Raffle and celebrated Auction. Airline tickets and many, many valuable prizes in the raffle and many interesting lots in the auction featuring unique items from the world of sport, football, cricket and Formula 1 motor racing included. Items you cannot buy anywhere else, and if you could the money would not be going to "Care for Children". Live bands enjoying Shenanigans new sound and lighting and, to start the Pub Night, the famous Slave Auction with Jesters Committee man, auctioneer and sixth Platinum sponsor, Graham MacDonald, selling off Pattaya Panthers and Panties to do your bidding for the evening.

And when we've done all that, where does the money go? It all goes to help those children at the Blind School, at the Huay Pong Welfare Institute and the children at the Fountain of Life Children's Center. So, with your support, it all adds up to a very worthwhile Jester's 'Care for Kids' Charity Drive for 2002.

The 'Care for Kids' Mystery Spotter

Finally, watch out for the 'Care for Kids' Mystery Spotter in and around Pattaya. All you have to do is display one of the Jesters Children's Fair sticker on your car, pick-up, motor bike, jacket, or anywhere visible and you could be stopped by me, or another Jesters committee member, and given a prize on the spot. It might be a beer, breakfast or coffee in Shenanigans, a drink in the Green Bottle, breakfast in the
Diana Inn, a Thai massage, a Sauber Formula 1 key ring, a pair of Heineken shorts, or even a one-year free subscription to Pattaya Mail or Pattaya Blatt. It could be a Jesters souvenir or a 'Care for Kids' T-shirt. Stickers are in
this week's issue of Pattaya Mail or just call at
Shenanigans, or the Diana Inn, and ask for one.

Show the Children's Fair sticker - the Mystery Spotter is looking for you!