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Teamwork with a tropical, philanthropic flair

By STEPHEN LATESSA, Sun Correspondent Lowell Sun

LOWELL -- Despite being 49 degrees and partly cloudy outside, the inside of the Lowell Memorial Auditorium was awash in sunny, warm, and tropical vibes last night. That's because it was the Fourth Annual Caribbean Carnival sponsored by Community Teamwork Inc. (CTI) aimed at ending hunger and homelessness. Executive Director Karen Frederick estimated that the event would raise $50,000 for CTI.

Enterprise Bank and Trust was the winner of the $10,000 grand prize drawing, which they promptly donated back to CTI. "I'm just stunned," Frederick said of the donation. "It really shows Enterprise's commitment to the community." Frederick hopes to use the money to fund a program that utilizes a mobile van to bring the arts as well as healthy lunches to low-income children at area parks over the summer.

The event featured music and food inspired by the islands. The island hut decorations and tropical archways were built by students at CTI YouthBuild, a program for young adults ages 17-24 who have dropped out of school. "We couldn't bring you all to the islands, so we thought we'd bring the islands to you," Frederick said in her opening remarks.

The buffet menu featured garlic pork, jerk chicken, Creole fish, and Jamaican rice, among other delicacies. A chocolate fountain proved very popular. Many of those attending dressed in appropriate island style. Steve Maguire and Irena Sienko had two of the more outrageous outfits. Maguire wore an authentic Rastafarian knit hat, bright pink pants and wraparound shades, while Sienko took inspiration from Carmen Miranda. Paul and Ruth Fauvel were the first on the dance floor, moving to the reggae tunes of house band Hot Like Fire. They were joined by a group of brightly dressed dancers from Trinidad. Fauvel said they had been to all three of CTI's carnival nights. He added that it was especially easy to have a good time "when you know you're there for a good cause."

In addition to the $10,000 grand prize, raffles were held for $200, $300, and $500. The winners, respectively were Germain Vigeant-Trudel, Steve Maguire, and Katherine Veal and the staff at Milly's Place. Gloria Barut, a teacher for the CTI YouthBuild program won a 50/50 drawing worth $600.

Frederick summed up the evening by saying that "this is a wonderful party, with a serious purpose -- to end homelessness." She added, "our mission is simple, it is to help people become and remain self sufficient."