“I had the blessing of growing up here and watching so many of you talented, creative women run this party,” shared Sugar Cane Ball Chair LeeLee Wiginton Ray as she — flanked by Hanover Charities Chair Katrin Casserly, Vice-Chair Jennifer Flanagan and Co-Chair Lyn Aust — faced approximately 350 guests who, after cocktail hour, converged on the Round Hill Hotel and Villas courtyard for the 68th iteration of Hanover Charities’ Sugar Cane Ball, held on Saturday, February 15.

“It has been the biggest blessing to do it with my mama. She chaired this ball in 1998 and ‘An Evening in Old Havana’ was her theme. And so we decided this year to bring her theme back. So we are so glad to do it together. This has been such a fun experience and we are so grateful to have all of you generous people here tonight. So, let’s raise some money for the best cause in the world,” she continued. Wiginton Ray’s mother, Lyn Aust, whose involvement with Hanover Charities spans three decades, currently serves as co-chair alongside her daughter.

‘An Evening In Old Havana’ was set against the idyllic backdrop of the iconic resort complete with lapping waves. The allure of the Cuban-inspired soirée was undeniable! The Tai Flora Luxe décor promised an escape from the ordinary. As guests swanned across the hotel foyer’s iconic black and white tiles and made their way down the steps, they were greeted with unrivalled views of the Caribbean Sea, complemented by an 11-foot high grass wall dotted with canotiers. To its right, a CPJ premium bar.

By 8:00 pm, with organisers eager to get the formalities started, guests, escorted by violinist Rosangel Miranda Gomez and the Harmony Dancers, made their way to the Tai Flora Luxe-designed Old Havana dinner and show, where twinkling lights created a warm and enchanting canopy, tables were dressed in fuchsia and orange linen and adorned with centrepieces — a mix of freshly harvested fruits and lush flora, wicker tablemats with fiery orange and hot pink napkins housed menus in complementary hues. Rattan lanterns, draped in bougainvillea blooms, cast an inviting glow over the entire scene infusing the space with nostalgia. The heart of the authentic Cuban experience, however, resided in the cuisine, with fare like Mojo Chicken and Cuban Churro.

Prior to the official start, Round Hill Managing Director and Hanover Charities Director Josef Forstmayer acknowledged the recent passing of fellow director, Custos of Hanover Dr David Stair. “I would like for us to have a moment of silence for our dear custos rotulorum … who has been a fixture in Hanover and passed 10 days ago… May he rest in peace and eternal light shine on him,” said Forstmayer.

A few hours later — and after a lively auction during which Christie’s New York auctioneer Rachael White Young, in record time, raised US$148,000 for the 2025 Container of Love, (born out of the critical needs of schools and communities. The objective [each year] is to fill a 40ft container with essential items which are imported each summer before the academic term begins) and saw New York investor Chris Mahan emerging as the highest live auction bidder with a winning bid of US$20,000 for four floor-seat tickets to the 2025 Jingle Ball. Guests later took to the dance floor to the sounds of the Chokey Taylor Band, in celebration of another successful fund-raising event.

Cottage 2 Foundation President Lysandra Ohrstrom was in a particularly upbeat mood moments after an initial donation of US$25,000, and an additional pledge of US$5,000 to the Hanover Charities Container of Love. Ohrstrom said that she was proud to help the parish which has been an integral part of her life. Before hitting the dance floor, she spoke exclusively to SO.

“Inequality and the cost of living on the island have skyrocketed and my family has been a part of Round Hill for 30 years. These people birthed me and I want to give back to the parish of Hanover,” said Ohrstrom.

Her generous donation, and that of others, will change the lives of thousands of Hanover families, and cover the costs of filling a 40-foot container with food items, as well as school and medical supplies, and associated shipping costs to Jamaica. “We started our foundation this year, so it made sense that its first big donation would be to Hanover Charities. I hope that they continue to fund the food bank which feeds, I think, 700 people a week and I hope they keep giving books to the public school students. I hope that they keep doing that important work.”

Hanover Charities, the largest non-profit, 501c3 organisation in Western Jamaica, hosts the Sugar Cane Ball on the second Saturday of February annually. The charitable ball serves as the sparkling crown jewel of a week of philanthropic events, all in support of Round Hill’s long-standing charitable partner Hanover Charities.