Combing Anguilla's Beaches for the Best

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Anguilla Beach Lovers

48 Hours Left To
Win A Trip To Anguilla!

Shaking with excitement as I write this, today we hit $13,000 raised for our new initiative supporting exceptional young Anguillians, Bright Lights. I am amazed by how far we have come in less than 1 month. Our initial goal was $10,000. We passed that long ago!

Now, we are less than $2,000 away from reaching $15,000!

If you donated, thank you so much for all of your help and support. The Bright Lights Award recipient is truly touched by your overwhelming generosity. This amount raised will make a huge difference and carry him a long way. He can't wait to meet you at the Google Hang Out on Sunday. :-)

As of today, there are just 48 hours left to participate in our first annual Bright Lights Fundraiser, a raffle for a $3,000-value trip to Anguilla. Included is a week long stay at Carimar Beach Club, dinners at Viceroy's Coba, Straw Hat, Mango's, Blanchards, Veya, Hibernia and roundtrip St. Maarten transport with Calypso Charters (more details below).

• If you haven't entered the raffle and would like to, click here to enter.
• If you're not interested in entering the raffle, but would still like to donate to an excellent cause that benefits exceptional Anguillians, click here to donate.

Thank you so much for your consideration. Every amount makes a huge difference.

Here's hoping we reach $15,000 in the next 48 hours, by Saturday at 11:59PM EST, the deadline to enter the raffle!

For details on the Bright Lights Fund and the $3,000+ value trip to Anguilla, read on...

The Background

The Bright Lights Fund supports one exceptional young Anguillian with the drive, will and a plan to make a difference.

Anguilla is home to hundreds of extraordinary young people with passion and vision. These are young people with unique skills that are leveragable with some financial aid. Their plans and actions have the power to generate "ripples" that can improve the lives of many Anguillians.

The recession, though, has hit hard. While these bright lights deserve a chance to shine, the money is not there to help.

In this pilot year, Bright Lights seeks to help just ONE exceptional person, the one who we believe has the strongest blend of idea, skill set, integrity and tenacity to realize his/her realistic plan to make a difference in Anguilla.

The fund is dedicated to these people and to the future of Anguilla.

We're launching this effort with our first annual contest/fundraiser!

A Note On Transparency

This fund does not have any "administrative fees." All money collected is dispersed directly to the recipient, monthly, through PayPal.

Proving that to you is extremely important. Therefore, an unbiased third-party, with relevant experience in this area, will be publishing statements on a volunteer basis.

Peter and Sallie Lilienthal are the Bright Lights fund auditors. More on Peter and Sallie here.

The Prize

Together with Carimar Beach Club, Straw Hat, Mango's, Viceroy, Blanchards, Veya, Hibernia and Calypso Charters, we have put together a $3,000+ value trip to Anguilla.

6 nights / 7 days at Carimar Beach Club in a 2 bedroom beachview suite

Waking up to that sparkling Caribbean Sea every morning sure is a dream. Set right on Meads Bay's shores, Carimar Beach Club's location is one of the very best. Here, everyday is a beach day.

Surroundings aside, the hotel is known for its welcoming and accommodating service. Inside, suites are large, clean and tastefully decorated with a fresh Caribbean theme. It's no wonder Carimar is one of the top-rated hotels in Anguilla.

Roundtrip transport from St. Maarten aboard Calypso Charters

Customer-focused, Calypso Charters handles my "am I going to miss my plane" panic calmly and graciously. Professional and reliable, they always get me there on time!

Dinner for 4 at Viceroy's Coba

Have you seen a more majestic setting? Perched between Meads Bay and Barnes Bay, Viceroy's signature restaurant, Coba catches the eye. Trendy and five-star, this is the place to "see and be seen!" Food-wise, Coba's menu is diverse (seafood "on ice", steaks, fresh fish, etc.). Everything is flawlessly and elegantly prepared by Chef Cliff Denny.

Dinner for 2 at Straw Hat

Under the Caribbean sky, open to the Caribbean sea, dining at Straw Hat is a blissfully calm experience. With friendly and unpretentious service, and creative Caribbean cuisine on the menu, it's a top choice for a laid-back, yet luxurious meal.

Dinner for 2 at Veya

Set in a lush garden, Veya sparkles something special. Lit up by twinkling lights and accented by Koi Ponds, the vibe is calm and cool. The menu is one of the most unique on the island, blending flavors of all kinds to perfection. Tip: Don't miss the Moroccan shrimp cigars.

Dinner for 2 at Hibernia

Classic and quiet, Hibernia encapsulates a collision of cultures. Influenced by the owners' travels through Asia, this restaurant is distinguished by its exotic Asian-Caribbean feel. Recommendation: Smoked fish (freshly smoked), Tom Yam Pla and the rich rum raisin ice cream.

Dinner for 2 at Mango's

Mango's has THE most intimate seaside setting. On a wooden deck right at sea level, the waves kiss the sand just a few meters away. The cuisine more than lives up to the challenge of the first impression, too! The focus is fresh, local seafood. Sesame Snapper is my Mom's #1 choice.

Dinner for 2 at Blanchards

Perhaps the most popular restaurant on the island, dining inside Blanchards' upscale, Caribbean-cottage style dining room really feels like being a guest in Bob and Melinda's (the owners) home. Complete sweet hearts, they take care of your every need. And, my mouth waters just thinking about Melinda's American-Caribbean creations!

How To Enter & Important Dates

To enter the contest, all you have to do is donate to the Bright Lights Fund. The more you donate, the higher your chances of winning.

Click here to enter!

Best of luck. :-)

Note...

• Last Day To Enter: November 2nd, 11:59PM EST.
• Drawing Date & Place: November 3rd, 10:00AM EST., via Google Hang Out. Details here.
• Prize must be redeemed between November 3rd and December 18th, 2013 or between June 1st and August 31st, 2014.

Thank you so much for your consideration and for your support!

Please do share this with as many people as you can. It is all for an excellent cause.

Thank you again,
Nori