Dec. 8, 2008 — Virgin Islanders from all over the globe are responding to an invitation to attend a pre-inaugural ball hosted by the Washington, D.C.-based V.I. Association.
"We've heard your voices loudly, and we thank you for the overwhelming response," said Alvin Dalmida Jr., president of the organization, on Monday.
This is the organization's first major fund-raising event of this magnitude. The ball will take place Sunday, Jan. 18, two days before the historic inauguration ceremony for President-elect Barack Obama. The association will hold the ball at the Hilton Springfield Hotel in Springfield, Va., which Dalmida said is one of the Hilton "gems," about a 10-minute drive to the nation's capital. The hotel provides free parking, he said, and it is four subway stops from Reagan National Airport.
"We basically discussed this about two months ago," Dalmida said. "We had our kickoff in the middle of November, and now we're working at a pretty fast pace. The response to our invitations has been unbelievable. We've heard from Europe, South America, Central America, even Hong Kong."
The music is local — Image Band and DJ Jamarich — and the organization is using providers in the territory to print the tickets and other promotional material, Dalmida said.
"If you can't afford the high-priced and sold-out inaugural balls around our nation's capital, we offer an opportunity to celebrate with Virgin Islanders at just $75 for the dinner and dance," Dalmida said.
However, there is a catch.
"Hotel reservations are the tough part," Dalmida said. "The hotels are charging $400 and up per night, even if you could get a reservation."
He has heard people are staying as far away as Richmond, Va., Delaware and even Philadelphia.
The $75 for the evening could compensate for the more expensive lodgings, Dalmida suggested. The hotel can accommodate about 460.
"Right now we have 120 paid reservations," he said.
Proceeds from the ball go into the organization's operational fund, which provides scholarship opportunities for deserving college students.
Tickets jump to $150 after Jan. 15 if space is still available. To confirm your reservation online easily and safely, Dalmida said, visit viadc. org and click on DehMarket. To pay by mail, send payment to: Virgin Islands Association, P.O. Box 75903, Washington, D.C. 20013, and include contact information. Dalmida can be reached by phone at (703) 216-6154.
College students should contact the organization for a special price consideration, he said.
Delegate Donna M. Christensen and Gov. John deJongh Jr. are invited to serve as keynote speakers, but neither has confirmed yet. The Rev. Ezra A. Naughton of All Saints Cathedral will deliver the invocation.
Many Virgin Islanders know Dalmida, a native of St. Thomas, as Lt. Dalmida, who retired from the U.S. Coast Guard last year after more than 25 years of service. He was an active Coast Guard recruiter in the territory, and he's bringing some of that same energy to this event.
"Think of all the people you know," Dalmida said. "Browse your address book, and have them visit our website. Who can keep a better party than Virgin Islanders?"
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