As customary, the Governor General’s residence held its annual Rotary Club Fundraiser in aid of charitable organisations in the country.
Addressing the gathering at the Wine and Cheese event, Club President Everton Sealy updated on several projects undertaken by the club in its 58 years of existence. He listed the anti-drug youth camps over the years which empowered young children to make a difference.
“From the mobile youth clinic or the Rotary bus to a $500,000 water project, which allowed 3000 residents of Babonneau access to running water,” Sealy said. “The Rotary Club of St Lucia has worked assiduously to create lasting change in our community.”
He added that this year, the club worked on several projects including a major joint project which saw the Montero Medical Mission deliver dental services to every primary school on island, and also medical supplies valued at approximately $700,000.
The Rotary president continued, “jointly with the Rotary Club of Lamentin, we delivered medical supplies to the Ministry of Health valued at approximately $240,000.”
The Rotary Club also delivered backpacks and educational materials to kids in need in partnership with the Rotary Satellite Club. In addition, the club gave about 200 hampers to the needy at Christmas including the Aids Action Foundation.
In keeping with this year’s theme, ‘Creating Hope with a Focus on Mental Wellbeing’, the club visited the Wellness Center, and “we reaffirmed our belief that mental illness is a disease like any other and persons suffering from such should be treated with respect and dignity,” Sealy noted.
“We also reaffirmed our support for the doctors and nurses, among several, which demonstrates how hard club members are working,” he said at the event last weekend. “But there is a lot more the club can do, and this is why we are here to raise funds to make projects possible.”
The Rotary Club president acknowledged the support of G.G. Charles and Lady Charles for hosting a successful function.
Corporate sponsors included Barbay – Distributors of St Lucian Rum, Premium Wine and Spirits, ADMAC- Suppliers of Gourmet and Health Food, Llewelyn Xavier (for the exquisite painting on display), and past Rotarian Chester Hinkson who provided a wonderful piece for auction.
Other sponsors included SunSwept Resorts Body Holiday and Stolen Time St Lucia, Windjammer Landing Resort and Residence St Lucia, and DBS Television.
Sealy also presented a hamper basket to G.G. Charles’ Charity of Choice.