BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER

Ike Cohen’s 95th Birthday Charity Fair and Online Auction!!

Legendary Aruban Hotelier, Mr. Ike Cohen will celebrate his 95th Birthday June 3, 2006. As in past years, Mr. Cohen will invite the entire Aruba community to his annual Charity Fair in commemoration of his birthday. He generously pays all the expenses including the food, all beverages and entertainment for the party. His great team of employees from his various businesses will donate their time and effort to organize the party and solicit ticket donations of Afs 125 (US $70). All donations received (100%) are contributed to the Ike Cohen Charity Foundation.
The party will be held at the Manchebo Beach Hotel from 7:00 PM – Midnight and will offer a great variety of food stations, open bar and dancing to music provided by Aruba’s renowned Claudius Philips and OREO. All entertainment will include Manchebo’s very own Willy Polanca and his Musical Cooks.

Door Prizes will be drawn from those ticket holders supporting the event.

To raise additional funds, an electronic on-line Auction is being organized featuring an extensive list of attractive items from Aruba to include restaurants, hotels, attractions, spa services, special events and travel. Additional items include cruises, golf vacations, sports memorabilia and travel. The AUCTION will be active starting on May 1 – June 2, 2006. We plan on having many items on the Auction available to be purchased immediately and will not require a bidding process, with proceeds coming to the event coffers.

Additional corporate donations will also be solicited to support the event. A major commitment has once again been made by local entrepreneur, Mr. Rene Kan who will contribute Afls 1000 for each of Mr. Cohen’s 95 years. Over the years, Mr. Kan’s spirit of generosity has grown the foundation’s funds by Afls 460,000
(US 258,000).

The foundation has made countless contributions over the years to local social organizations and care foundations e.g. Imeldahof Children’s Home, Marie Stella Home for the Elderly, Foundation for Women in Difficulty, Meals on Wheels, Friends of the Handicapped, special transport vehicles for the Casa Cuna and SABA as well to support the great work done by the local service clubs (Lions Club, Rotary, Kiwanis, Quota Club and the Womens Club).

In 2004, the foundation partnered with CEDE ARUBA, a private foundation funded by the Aruba and Dutch government which identifies and provides funding for community beneficial projects with the condition that the foundation / organization fund 30% of the project. This condition provides great challenge for the institutions The Ike Cohen Foundation is notified by CEDE ARUBA of the opportunity and contributions are made accordingly. In 2004, the Cohen Foundation made a contribution to FAVI (Foundation for the Visually Impaired) of over Afls 125,000, which provided the funds required to construct the first phase of a new facility to provide assistance for those in need. The new facility opened in 2005. Additional contributions for furnishings, special computers and needed supplies have since been made.

In 2006, the funds raised will be contributed to the White Yellow Cross of Aruba. The White Yellow Cross is one of Aruba’s oldest organizations providing valuable assistance to the community. The staff and professionals work with Aruban families in providing assistance to new mothers in their care of newborn babies as well as support with needed equipment and supplies for elderly assisted living needs. This need is growing and facility needs to be built for the administration, storage and supply of the equipment needed by those who may still be independent to live on their own or may rely on family assistance.