KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Golden Designs organisation will, this Sunday, December 18, host its ‘Paint and Sip for Seniors with Love’ event at Regardless, the former home of national hero Norman Manley, at 4 Washington Drive, Kingston 10.

The event will feature the old and young sipping wine and painting together in a packaged entertaining event.

Golden Designs is an organisation that provides arts skills training and engagement activities for senior citizens. Its training programmes encompass painting, drawing, and crocheting, which are offered to older adults to empower them with life-enrichment skills and if needed to improve their economic conditions.

It also teaches senior citizens social media and computer literacy skills to ensure they are internet savvy. Golden Designs is completely driven by its motto: “Creatively Engaging Our Seniors”, according to its founder, Shelly-Ann Thompson.

“We decided to stage an art event that is light-hearted and engaging, and such an event as a ‘paint and sip’ fulfills those criteria while maintaining our focus on the older adult population,” said Thompson. She explained that the event is a fundraiser to assist to offset costs for the company’s training programmes aimed at the elderly. She noted that the materials and supplies for such training can be costly hence, “we constantly fundraise to garner finances to remain in operation”.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, December 18 from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm at Regardless (the former St Andrew home of National Hero Norman Manley and his wife, Edna Manley).

Golden Designs has promoted the fundraiser as a great cause that may be an early gift for loved ones whether elderly or young. Ticket cost is $5000, while members of the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons and the National Council for Senior Citizens receive a five per cent discount.

The evening’s host will be up and coming singer Birdz-I who will also be performing some of her originals and tracks in tribute to the 1970s era. Popular social media vlogger, MsBJPeart, will be present at the Paint and Sip event.

“You will be making a great contribution to our elderly community and in return be rewarded with two and a half amazing hours of art, wine, and entertainment,” said Thompson.

The much-needed funds from the Paint and Sip for Seniors with Love will help Golden Designs and its participants get the necessary art and craft supplies for the next round of skills training scheduled for February 2023.