Open Your Heart Foundation: Better Safe But Sorry Good Friday Event Cancelled

For the first time in nine (9) years the Warren Simmons Field in Somerset stood virtually empty without hundreds of Good Friday revellers enjoying a free Family Fun Day event hosted by Open Your Heart Foundation (OYHF).

And while organisers say it’s better to be safe than sorry, they are truly disappointed.

Spokeswoman Tianna Saltus told Bermuda Real this morning: “I will say its heartbreaking.

“Many of us were genuinely upset – yesterday I think the reality hit us.

“This year would have been the best one yet. We had reorganized the event, added more – it was gonna be epic.”

But despite the fact that community events like this were cancelled to limit the spread of the deadly coronavirus, she said OYHF has picked up on reducing the impact of the current Shelter in Place order on residents who live in Somerset.

The group took the initiative to ensure that seniors in need receive a hot meal and so they started preparing and delivering hot meals up west, as far east as Barnes Corner.

“On Tuesday we served approximately 120 meals and on Thursday we served over 250 meals,” said Ms Saltus.

“We have a team of people who are preparing the food and a team delivering them on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“You can also collect your meal from the Lodge at White Hill on Tuesdays or at Somerset Cricket Club on Thursdays. If you need delivery let us know.

“Delivery starts at 5pm, registered collections at 6pm and unregistered pick ups at 6:30pm.

“You can email us openyourheart@outlook.com, message us on instagram: open.your.heart.bda, or on Facebook: Open Your Heart Foundation.

“To register please include your full name, telephone number and address, with the number of meals needed, your current employment status and when you need the meals,” she added.

Thousands turned for the event last year, as the crowd surged throughout the day.

Organisers served food throughout the day, with lunch, featuring an Open Your Heart Good Friday mainstay, in what is now an annual tradition of purchasing a whole lamb that is cooked underground for several hours and served as a main course for dinner.

And per usual, the group’s team of organisers, truckers and volunteers worked through the wee hours overnight to clean it all up and clear out.

That was not to be this year – hopefully, by next year this will be a distant memory.