The 17th annual Express Children's Fund Dinner and Dance proved to be a success for yet another year.

Held in the Ballroom of the Hilton Trinidad, St Ann's on Saturday evening, the charity event was one that the patrons, who came out in their numbers, thoroughly enjoyed.

They were addressed briefly by chairman of the Fund, Dr Allan McKenzie, who gave a bit of history on the development of the Fund toward the assistance of the poverty-stricken in society and then focussed specifically on children in need.

McKenzie said more than $3 million has been spent so far in assisting the needy school children of this country with their education as well as medical needs.

He also took the opportunity to introduce the five new board members, who were appointed this year.

Describing them as young, he said the new board members—Sandra Parmesar, Roy Narinesingh, Dr Rolph Balgobin, Alicia McKenzie and Nirmala Ramsanahie—will help to enhance the development of the Fund as they work with the older board members.

McKenzie also took the time to thank those who came out to support the Fund by attending the annual Dinner and Dance, as well as those who have worked in the background as longstanding members in the promotion of the Fund.

This year's event was themed Latin Fiesta and so the dinner menu, as was only fitting, consisted of palatable Latin dishes.

Patrons were entertained by the N9 Dancers with Latin dancing and shortly after dinner five couples, who upon their arrival opted to enter the dance competition, had their names pulled from among other hopeful couples to participate in a Latin dance competition, where they were given the opportunity to show off their skills on the dance floor.

This was much to the delight of those who were too shy to enter the competition.

After the door prizes of a trip to Tobago for two, a Kindle, and dinner for two were distributed the lights were dimmed and, no longer hindered by the bright lights, those who held their seats earlier in the evening took to the dance floor to music provided by the band Imij and Co.