PORTSMOUTH—
Lilly Whelan will be about half the size of almost every guest who listens to her speak at the Caribbean Nights Dance Party Saturday, April 7, in Portsmouth. And although Lilly is generally more comfortable on a climbing structure at her South Berwick elementary school than behind a microphone at the VFW Hall, the fourth grade girl has something she wants to talk about.
“It would be a great idea, if you have everything that you need and you are going to get something extra, to instead send some money, like give it to a cause rather than spending it on an extra toy that you really don’t need,” explained Whelan, who happens to speak from experience.
Whelan, who was asked to be one of the guest speakers at the third annual Caribbean Nights Dance Party, decided to forego a Christmas present in December in favor of sending money to help children at a school in northern Haiti, one of the world’s poorest countries and one still crippled by an earthquake in 2010.
“My mom wanted me to sleep on it so I would be sure, but I really didn’t need to,” said Whelan. “I already have everything I need, like water, food and shelter, but the children in Haiti don’t. So giving up one Christmas present made a big difference for them but didn’t make any difference for me.”
Proceeds from the dance where Whelan will speak benefits the Eben Ezer School in Milot, Haiti. The school has grown over the last five years from 35 children to 200 children and has added clean water, electricity, a library and a kitchen, thanks to support from southern Maine and New Hampshire.
A man who is at least five times her age will follow Whelan at the microphone. Brian Lenzi of Barrington, a former National Guard commander, will speak for a few minutes about plans to lead a local group to Haiti, to build an inn or guesthouse at the Eben Ezer School.
The Caribbean Dance features the Latin rhythms of Combo Sabroso of Boston. The dance, which draws about 200 people, includes free food and lots of photos to let those who attend celebrate the culture and people they are helping.
Dancing begins at 8pm, and will be preceded by a slide show at 7pm about the Eben Ezer School and Seacoast efforts there.
Combo Sabroso, which plays a variety of Latin music, including traditional Afro-Cuban music, agreed to do the first dance in 2010, which took place just after the earthquake killed hundreds of thousands of people and left a million people homeless near Port Au Prince.
The band was formed in 1998 when keyboard player Matt Jenson, then living in Portsmouth, assembled the best Latino musicians he could find in Boston. The band’s main influences are the ensembles of Latin piano icon Eddie Palmieri and the grand percussionist, Tito Puente.
Jenson said the band follows in the tradition of venerated maestros, but layers its own jazz solos over energetic dance rhythms. They play anything from Cha Cha to Danzon, from Bolero to Salsa, from Latin jazz to Plena.
Although Whelan was invited to the dance to speak of her own generosity, the nine-year-old acknowledged something that most people learn at a much older age.
“It felt really good to know that they were going to get the money and they were going to use, it” she said, adding, “It was like a gift to me to have that feeling that I did something good for Haiti.”
The Caribbean Nights Dance Party is Saturday, April 7, at the VFW on Deer Street in Portsmouth. Tickets are on sale at Black Bean in Rollinsford, Ceres Bakery in Portsmouth, River Run in Portsmouth, Nature’s Way in South Berwick, Full Circle Community Thrift Store in Eliot and Fair Tide Thrift Store in Kittery. Checks, made out to Life and Hope Haiti, can also be sent to P.O. Box 185, Kittery Point, Maine. Tickets cost $20 donation. More information is available from newslifeandhope@yahoo.com.
Photo Caption: Lilly Whalen, age nine, holds a check for $50 that she chose to give to children in Haiti rather than get one of her major Christmas gifts. (Courtesy Photo)
