A SILVER Jubilee Angels Night is what the Physical Abuse Centre (PAC) planned to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its founding. And the organisers went all out to ensure that patrons who paid upwards of $200 a ticket for the formal dinner at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel got their money's worth.

They probably got more than that, which included fabulous entertainment during dinner, as well as an endless round of other goodies between the several courses.

Most importantly, patrons got to meet some of the real-life 'angels', who over the years have quietly worked behind the scenes, contributing in their peculiar ways, in cash, in kind and counselling towards the success of the PAC's efforts softening the pain and disruption caused by domestic violence. Seventeen individuals and institutions were singled out for Angel Awards.

Also insights were given about plans for building of PAC's own Safe House on property it purchased two years ago at a cost of $450,000. Chief patrons for the evening were Premier Alex Scott and his wife Olga. Barrister Leo Mills shared the spotlight with them in presenting the awards, as well as keeping the evening's programme moving at a good pace, with good humour.

Chair of the PAC board, Mrs. June Augustus, provided statistical data reflecting the growth and development of PAC and extent of assistance and shelter provided over the decade ending the year 2000.

During that period PAC provided for a total of 594 adults in its Safe House, 587 children, and it responded to 551 calls on its help-line telephone number. There were a low of 240 help-line calls in 1991, and a high of 775 in 1999. That same year a high of 77 adults and 44 children were sheltered. In 1996, there were 41 adults, 84 children and 612 help-line calls.

Mrs. Augustus recalled how PAC began out of concern for the victims of rape, flowing from a seminar sponsored by the Business and Professional Women's Association in March 1979. People attending two subsequent meeting decided to extend the focus to include victims of all kinds of physical abuse.

It was noted that many people had worked to bring PAC to where it is today. Special mention was made of Choy Aming, its first board chairman. AME Minister Rev. Alphonso Sherald, Mrs. Arleen Swan and now Mrs. Augustus followed him. Following are citations accompanying the recipients of the Angel Awards:

Choy Aming: Was there in the beginning when the whole concept of physical abuse as a social problem was relatively new. He epitomised the courage and conviction of those who laid the foundation for community acceptance of PAC.

Richard Bath: Head of the architectural firm for providing free of charge, services in drawing up plans for PAC's Safe House.

Maxine Caisey: For her thoughtful and personal gesture in religiously giving generous donations each pay day via payroll deductions.

Fatu Songawa: For having travelled to Bermuda at her own expense on various occasions to give PAC the benefit of her expertise and wisdom She is an executive of the House of Ruth Shelter in Washington, DC.

Sheryl and Stanley Simmons: A husband and wife team described as a pair of angels, for voluntarily contributing their time and money the PAC. They just knew when to send, as their timing couldn't have been better.

Andre Rochester: An expressive advocate for the protection of women and their children from all forms of abuse. He has worked with PAC in the Prison Service doing assessments for men wanting to get into the batterers programme; and has assisted PAC with the training of police officers in domestic violence.

Marty Davis: Described as an angel in disguise. She has called PAC on a monthly basis for the past eight years donating household supplies, cereal and detergents.

Rosana Vickers: A key staff member of PAC. She is currently the primary facilitator of the "Abuse Free" programme, which is Bermuda's first batterers intervention programme.

Calvin Shabazz: A long-term supporter and strong advocate for PAC. He has provided services as a consultant and ally of PAC since its inception.

Arleen Swan: Chairperson of PAC from 1988 to 1996. For almost a decade devoted many hours attending to the affairs of the organisation, despite the demands of her regular job as a public school counsellor.

Nina Jones: Started her professional career with PAC, having applied for a position of counsellor straight out of university. She remained there for four and a half years.

Rev. Henry Armstrong: Accepting on behalf of Bermuda Bakery Ltd., and acknowledging the memory of a former manager, the late John Massa, for freely donating bread and pastries to PAC.

Warwick Academy: Mrs. Desa Aubella, accepting on behalf of the school's principal Robert Lennox, in recognition of the collective efforts of students and teachers for many years donating to PAC's food bank.

Bermuda Institute: Seventh Day Adventist School's head girl Andrea James accepting on behalf of the school's principal, Mrs. Lois Tucker. Students and teachers at the Institute donated sufficient supplies of staple foods to last six months, including cases of sugar, peanut butter and miscellaneous goods.

Dunkley's Dairy: For some ten years the dairy has been supplying milk to suffice PAC clients. Accepting on behalf of MP Michael Dunkley, who was unable to be present, were Henry and Oprah Trott.

During the evening, a dramatic testimonial was given by a physical abuse victim Tanya Symonds, supported by a bevy of dancing angels.

Leanne Davis, a singer with Bermudian roots, who lives in New Jersey, came home especially to render a medley of songs, accompanied on the piano by Eugene Brown.

Soloist Elton Richardson, accompanied on the piano by Michael Fox, also sang. And presentations by saxophonist Wendell (Shine) Hayward), the Progressive Ballroom Dance Group and the United Dance Group under artistic director Suzette Harvey, all helped to round out a fully entertaining and enlightening evening.