For some years now the American Women's Club has been presenting an annual dinner and dance combined with a silent auction for the purpose of raising funds towards their charitable works. This year's edition of the event was titled, 'The Denim Diamond' and took place at the Pier 1 Beach Club, Chaguaramas, on September 29.

The dinner and dance featured a country and western theme with a bit of flash added and patrons came out decked in their respective interpretations of this. Most of the women, however, opted for rather simple, yet eye-catching ensembles. Cowboy-styled hats made of straw were provided for each patron although some of them had their own.

The event was organised by the club's executive committee under the direction of its president, Pat Downs who assumed office in January. Her term of office is coming to an end as elections are held annually in December, but the work Downs has done here will benefit the group's charitable works down in 2013.

"The money we raise at this event will be used for next year's charities. We assist wherever we realise a real need. People write letters to us requesting assistance and our review committee goes out and investigates these, returning to us with a report from which we decide how we can assist. We assist nursing homes, orphanages, adult literacy programmes and other institutions. So basically it starts with a letter and we help whoever asks," Downs said.

Downs migrated to Trinidad with her family in June 2010 and she told the Express that they intend to spend the rest of their lives here as they have fallen in love with Trinidad. Along with her work in the American Women's Group, Downs is also the treasurer of the Interclub, which comprises 19 women's clubs, all of which focus on service to people. Downs also volunteers at the Point Cumana Government School where she reads to the children weekly.

Along with the sumptuous western styled dinner of bar-b-que, pulled pork, apple crumble and more, The Denim Diamond featured a silent auction offering artwork from young artists as well as other items donated by a number of corporate entitles such as Schlumberger Trinidad, bpTT, Aqueous Actuarial Consulting, Fluor and Fugro among others that supported the event.