De ParangSide Extends Charity to Trinidad and Tobago

In September, 2002, De ParangSide held its first charitable venture (a toy drive) for the underprivileged in Trinidad and Tobago ("T&T"). Thus began the charitable deeds of this group. This parang music group would endeavor to assist depressed communities in T&T by providing essential goods to needy families. The group is usually very active during the Christmas season, spreading goodwill throughout the Caribbean community in metro Atlanta, as well as to a few Atlanta communities.

De ParangSide made a committment to assist the underprivileged in T&T and, as its first venture, they adopted the town of Laventille to be the recipient of the donations derived from fundraisers.The group plans to carry out fundraising ventures that would provide toys for children at Christmas, food during Easter, clothes for the summer and books and school supplies for the new school year.

De ParangSide’s First Toy Drive

A rainy day in September it turned out to be when De ParangSide held its first "Toys for Tots" fundraiser. However, by late evening the rain had stopped and folks were making their way to the Bridge Café on Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain. The members of De ParangSide performed with a happy heart and partied with their supporters. It was so "nice" to see people just come and drop off bags of toys for the cause. What joy it was to have the two barrels "full to the brim" with toys for the little tots of Laventille Trinidad.

Spirit Of Giving
Express editor-at-lrge Keith Smith, manager of Laventille Rhythm Section, plays Santa Claus as he distributes gifts to children in Success Village, Laventille, Christmas day. The distribution of gifts was organised by De ParangSide, a group of Trinidad students based in Atlanta, USA. The music group organised a toy drive for children of the area and co-ordinated the distribution with the Laventille Rhythm.

(Boxing Day Article from the Express)

The Food Served Up a Great Feast

It was a good sight to see when once again, at the "Food Drive" fundraiser, De ParangSide’s barrel at the door was filled with foodstuff for the families in need. The response De ParangSide received was splendid. We were very thankful and we are confident the recipients from Laventille would also be thrilled and grateful.

Toiletries, Food for the Poor

A lot of good work continues to be done by Laventille's active community groups among them the Laventille Rhythm section which, in Tandem with the Atlanta-based "De Paranfside", continues the drive to bring relief to the underprivileged.

Band captin Trevor Macdonald (left) being commended by the co-ordinator of Care and respect for Youth (CRY) co-ordinator Kwame Kamu after he presented the organisation with packages of food stuff and toiletries. The CRY stop was one of a number in the Laventille area that has been made possible by the efforts of "De ParangSide", A music group comprising of young Trinidadians studying in Atlanta. This food and toiletries shipment followed last Christmas's toy shipment which enabled the Rhythm Section to distribute toys to hundreds in the bayyled area. Next on "De ParangSide"/Rrhyrhm Section' scheduke are school supplies and clothes distributions with attention turning by Christmas, this year, to similar distributions in selected East Indian communities.
Courtesy of "The Trinidad Express"

A Helping Hand to the Trinidad & Tobago Tourist Board

When it’s time to say thanks it good to say it with pizzazz - that way your appreciation is evident. The Ottawa, Canada branch of the Trinidad & Tobago Tourist Board held a function in Atlanta "to say thanks" to the travel agents that helped promote T&T as a destination worth visiting. The food and entertainment were top-notch. Featured performers were the Shiik Indian dancers from T&T and the Signal Hill, Tobago choir. Of course, yours truly, De ParangSide, gave the performance of a lifetime and our culture was introduced to and appreciated by one and all. The evening went well. Everyone was in good spirits and crowd participation was at an all time high. De ParangSide was happy to have assisted in this event.

De ParangSide Spends Thanksgiving In Miami

Who would have thought that the little known parang music group from Atlanta, GA would have lasted long enough to be invited to Miami to perform? Well, we accepted Miami's invitation and had a blast! De ParangSide performed at the office of the Trinidad & Tobago Consulate General and its staff. They participated in and enjoyed every minute of the performance. The music group’s debut was well received by the entire Caribbean community in Miami who enjoyed the parang music and exclaimed how proud it made them feel to see such a young group preserving Trinidad's musical traditions. Soon familiar faces were seen from house to house. De ParangSide was invited to perform again in Miami for 2003, and it was with great pleasure that this invitation was accepted.

De ParangSide’s 1st Parang Season Kickoff

"I see and I know parang music sweet for so". This was the chant Leon Coldero had the crowd singing at De ParangSide’s Parang Season Kickoff in December. Leon had the crowd grooving to his soca parang renditions and his energetic performance had the crowd mesmerized. De ParangSide enjoyed performing along with him and appreciated his commitment to return the following year.

De ParangSide's Clothes Drive

One of the most successful parties for the year was given by "De ParangSide", at the Pan Yard in Decatur, in April. This was a "fund raiser" given to purchase and ship clothes to the less fortunate in Trinidad. DJ Tony Tempo and DJ Stephen had the crowd "jumpin" and the last person finally left at 7:00 a.m. still looking for more. "So when is de nex’ one?…jus leh mih know..ah go be dere!!"
De ParangSide thanks the community for all the support it has received so far and looks forward to providing even more entertainment, while keeping in mind that "giving is good'.
excerpt form "The Caribbean Express"

De ParangSide's Books & School Supplies Drive

To have books dropped off at the Roti Place and donations made by CIP and Colors International along with a great turnout to De ParangSide's "Sizzlin Summer Session" makes our group pround of the Atlanta caribbean community's ability to rise to the occassion. De ParangSide would be sending a lofty shipment of books and school supplies to laventille Trinidad and we could not have done it without your support.