The New York Mets and the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry(CACCI) teamed together once again for the second annual Caribbean Heritage Night at Citi Field on Wednesday, Aug. 8. Action starts at 6:45 p.m. with pre-game entertainment and Caribbean music, followed by awards presentation prior to the Mets-Miami game.
George Hulse will be presented with the New York Met Spirit Award as one of five distinguished Caribbean Icons. A vice president of Health First, Hulse tops the list as he is a leader, and major contributor toward the health and well being of the community.
“We should recognize him for his hard work and leadership in the community,” said Dr. Roy A. Hastick, Sr., president and founder of CACCI .
“I’m very proud of getting one of the Heritage Awards,” Hulse said.
The other honorees are Edmund Sadio, president and broker of Century 21 Achievers Realty, Sylma Brown Bramble, director of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, William Lake of International Financial Consultant and David ‘Junior’ Gayle, owner of Tropical Paradise Ballroom and Restaurant.
“This is a special occasion when members of the Caribbean Diaspora come out in large numbers together with friends, family, and other Met fans to have fun and to cheer the New York Mets as they exhibit good sportsmanship in the home game against the Marlins,” said Dr. Hastick.
The recipients were selected by a board and were chosen for their support and efforts to the Caribbean American community.
Has it really been a successful year for the Mets in their drive toward a possible playoff position?
Just ask some of the honorees about their reaction to the Mets’ season, into its second half of 2012.
Hulse insists that the Mets are a good team.
“But they have to play better together,” Hulse added. “They suffered some injuries during the season. If they hit well together they can still make a run at the playoffs. They are under performing (themselves). I’m a long-time fan.”
Another award winner is Gayle.
“The Mets are a great team,” added Gayle. “They’re trying to get it together.”
“I also follow the Mets,” said Lake. “But coming from Yonkers, the Yankees are the team up here. The Mets are a good team. The Mets are a tribute to what they do in the community.”
Lake played some baseball in the Caribbeans before moving north to New York, where he turned his attention more to basketball. The Mets are a good thing in our community. As for the award, it’s exciting to get such an award. We (our company) raise capital for small businesses…”
Still another award winner is Sadio, who started the realty company two decades ago with a franchise in Brooklyn.
It’s always an honor when one works hard to receive an award and this is what the recipients have done to be so honored at Citi Field before a Met game.
For Hastick, the first annual CACCI night last year was an evening filled with laughter, good comradeship between the fans and Caribbean American Chamber members. Even though the Mets have been losing, Dr. Hastick sees the enthusiasm and love that the fans have for the team.
“We have a lot of Caribbeans on the team; that’s why we love the relationship between the Mets and Caribbean American community,” he went on. “Let’s go Mets!”
“I urge the community to come out in big numbers to support us and the partnership because there is strength in numbers and as we move on to our third year we do hope to make it bigger and better (every year),” said Hastick.
