Raising a Stink for a Very Good Cause

(4/4/2009)

A local organization - The Bali Garlic Club (BGC) has a membership dedicated to exploring the almost endless culinary options presented by "the stinking rose" while raising funds for worthy local causes.

The recent Bali Garlic Club (BGC) Valentine's gathering held on February 13, 2009, adopted a "Pink Panther" theme emphasizing the colors pink and black. Held at the private residence of Bali Hotelier Lucienne Anhar of the Tugu Hotel and Spa, garlic-themed dishes were served while Peter Sellers appeared throughout the evening projected in scenes taken from his epic "Pink Panther" films.

The Ladies in Pink - click images to enlarge

During the course of the evening's festivities, Rp. 32 million (US$2,900) was raised in aide of the Sunrise Disabled Children's Unit, soon to be integrated into the Sunrise School. Providing educational support to disabled children, the new "special needs" school will include a large class room, a therapy room, specially designed bathroom facilities and an administrative office. "Basically every part of the building has been designed to provide a learning space for disabled children stimulating their senses, bodies and minds," says Natalie Siagian, the principal of Sunrise and moving force behind the project.

Auction items were donated by Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa Bali, Bali Golf & Country Club, Hotel Tugu Bali, Villa Tugu Bali, Sofitel Seminyak Bali, Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel Bali, Leon Vrielink and Indonesia Cruises. Almost 32 million rupiah was raised that evening, making a grand total of 41.5 million donated to the project by the BGC.