Well Known Bartender Gives Back to Special Needs Community With Another Party With a Purpose

Partying with a Purpose

Hospitality veteran continues annual tradition of providing entertainment with a purpose to serving community needs.

New Reformed Productions (NRP) founder, Noel Hodgson is no stranger to the entertainment scene in Bermuda having worked in the hospitality industry all of his working life in hotels and various clubs.

Well known Bermudian bartender, Noel Hodgson is back at it with another community driven cause to help Bermuda’s special needs community.

Proceeds raised from another party with a purpose last November, were recently presented to the head of the Friends of Hope Academy by Mr Hodgson’s New Reformed Productions.

After noticing the decrease in local hotels, clubs and entertainment in Bermuda over the years, Mr Hodgson decided to start hosting events, but with a purpose beyond just entertaining the masses to help others.

For over 20 years, he has been holding the Annual Solid Gold Old School Party with proceeds of the event going to various charities over the years, including the Gina Spence Foundation, the Chewstick Foundation, the Bermuda Society for the Blind and the Kandice Foundation.

The latest event was held on November 4, 2017. Party goers were entertained on two levels of the Spinning Wheel Nightclub, featuring the international sound of Stone Love Movement’s DJ Rory from Jamaica, the world’s number one blind DJ, DJ Touchtone from Philadelphia and popular local DJs Magnum Force with Fadda Maggie and DJ Jada, DJ Radigun, DJ Cavon and Playboy Sound with DJ Trevor and Kid Fresh with the added bonus of the extra daylight savings hour.

The Friends of Hope Academy (FOHA) were the latest recipients of NRP’s generosity. FOHA, a Bermuda registered charity, assists children and families at the local special needs school, Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy (DMBHA) as well as provides support to the wider special needs community with the primary objectives of providing support to DMBHA in the implementation of its school improvement plan; implementation of its curriculum; and extra-curricular activities; support or assistance to other individuals or organisations for purposes beneficial to the education and care of children with special needs; and to assist with community projects that promote awareness, education and improving the lives of children with special needs.

“I chose FOHA after many conversations with my longtime friend who has a special needs daughter. The needs for individuals and groups within the special needs community are huge and I knew I needed to do something to assist,” said Mr Hodgson.

“Organizing events like these are a huge undertaking but the gracious assistance from my public and anonymous sponsors, the Spinning Wheel, bartenders, ticket ladies, graphic designer and DJs, support of those who attend and the ability to help others at the same time makes every effort to get the night running smoothly worth it.

“I had the opportunity to visit the school and meet the students and teachers. The children are inspirational and the passion of the staff there has led me make them recipients again for future events.

Moving forward, he said: “I’d encourage anyone looking for an entertaining night out for a mature crowd most importantly with a purpose to help others attend future events in 2018 and beyond.