GROW Well has announced a full calendar of events for youth and others in need in Gros Islet, as the organization celebrates its 20th anniversary.
“We are a volunteer-based organization and for 20 years we have helped develop and support youth and others in need in the community. This year, with the help of major sponsors, we are taking our support to another level,” said Paul Lorde, Grow Well’s President.
Grow Well has plans for two major educational programmes for March. The Young Authors Competition challenges school children in nine primary and secondary schools in the Gros Islet district to demonstrate their imagination and creativity. The competition celebrates Governor General Dame PearletteLouisy, her love of country and devotion to education. Students will submit short stories based on Grow Well’s theme for its 20th anniversary: volunteering, caring giving and helping others.
Prizes are substantial, including nine tablets, smart phones, books by St. Lucian authors, schoolbook vouchers, all donated by Grow Well’s sponsors.
The other major March event is Grow Well’s Annual General Knowledge Quiz, when six Gros Islet primary schools will compete in teams of two to win major prizes by correctly answering more than 50 general knowledge questions based in large part on St. Lucia’s history, culture and current events.
This hotly contested event will be held appropriately at the Beausejour Cricket Grounds. “We conceived of this Quiz 15 years ago and it has become a favourite annual competition on the schools’ calendar. It is nail-biting and I believe every school has won the competition at least once. I suspect they train for it, but we keep changing the questions and keeping them current,” addedLorde.
The Rotary Club of GrosIslet is the major sponsor , with prizes supplied by a number of other supporters,
Other programmes for this 20th anniversary year include 20 hampers for seniors and Shut-ins; hampers for young moms, both being conducted with volunteer support from Grow Well’s Parents Club and Gros Islet’s Club 60. Major sponsors include CFL Limited and Friends of Grow Well abroad.
Lorde said other special events are planned throughout the year involving remedial reading, Junior Golf, Girls Circle and Library programmes for Gros Islet community children.
In addition to the Rotary Club of Gros Islet, Grow Well’s major sponsors of Grow Well’s community programmes include Baywalk Mall, ECFH, Lucelec, the St. Lucia Golf Club and individual supporters here and abroad.