By: Yolanda Pawar
On Monday, February 10th, The Friends of Harbour Island Trade School (FHITS) in partnership with One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) hosted an exciting fundraiser dinner and live fundraising auction at Harbour Island’s exquisite Rock House restaurant. Under the theme “Living the Harbour Island Life”, the gala brought together Harbour Island residents, second homeowners, business owners and island influencers for an evening of exquisite food, fun and fundraising to benefit the Centre for Training and Innovation’s Harbour Island Trade School (CTI-HITS). This event delivered another high point for the island, coming on the heels of the school’s 2025 graduation ceremony, which was held on Friday, Feb 7th, for fifty-seven new graduates.
Success, Growth and Gratitude
CTI-HITS is a satellite school of CTI located in Rock Sound. It provides scholarships for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island students to obtain nationally accredited professional development certificates in various trades and disciplines, from Basic Culinary and Carpentry to Electrical Installation 1 and 2, Hospitality, QuickBooks with Accounting 1 and 2, Entrepreneurship, and more. Each year, CTI expands its educational offerings to cater to more students and the growing training needs of the island. CTI-HITS provides post-secondary education opportunities allowing Eleutherans to learn without leaving home as they contribute meaningfully to their households, communities, and economies.
Sharing personal stories of success, growth, and gratitude, local students and burgeoning entrepreneurs Lana Barry-Cash (Entrepreneurship: 101) and Hans Joseph ( Electrical Installation 1 & 2) were on hand to express how CTI-HITS has impacted the trajectory of their lives. During the event, the duo extended heartfelt thanks to the organization and its supporters.
Prizes and Surprises
Guests reveled in the fun of winning raffle prizes throughout the evening, which were kindly donated by Harbour Island’s business community. Prizes ranged in value from $150 – $400. Harbour Island’s talented host and “auctioneer-extraordinaire,” JJ Percentie guided bidders through a delightful collection of donated prizes including; a cocktail cruise for ten aboard the “Devil’s Backbone,” a deep sea fishing excursion for six with local fishing legend Jeff Fox, several elegant privately-hosted dinners and playdates at some of Harbour Island’s most iconic homes and properties, a luxury, guided land adventure and tour for six from Conch & Coconut, a luxury golf cart rental and sponsorships of commemorative community benches with customized nameplates.
Event Sponsors
Esteemed event sponsors included the Rock House, Bristol Wine and Spirits, Liquid Courage and Island Events and Designs. All proceeds from the “Living the Harbour Island Life” Gala will be used to provide student scholarships for education and training at CTI-HITS.
As OEF’s education arm, CTI’s mission is to empower and develop students through education and technical training to become successful, exemplary citizens committed to Eleuthera’s current and future social and economic advancement. To give a gift or sponsor a student or cohort, visit oneeleutheraus.org/donate or email info@oneeleuthera.org
