Humanitarian Group honours exemplary contributors

by Nelson A. King in New York

13.APR.07

The Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Humanitarian Organization has honoured two nationals for their exemplary contributions to the Vincentian and Caribbean communities.

The ceremony took place on March 31, at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn, during the group’s annual Prayer Breakfast.{{more}}

The group said it raises most of its funds at this annual event to help needy Vincentians, particularly those in the Georgetown area, where most members originated.

“Since we came together, Vaughan (Toney) has always been very supportive,” said Earl Bailey, the group’s president, a former sergeant in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Police Force, in a Searchlight interview after the ceremony.

“He’s very deserving,” added Bailey of the Calliaqua native, who is chief executive officer and president of the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Centers.

“He helps many Vincentian and Caribbean organizations and individuals in many different ways,” he continued. “He’s really a humanitarian.”

Bailey said Rev. Muckett, affectionately called “Brother Muckett” at home, is equally deserving of the honour.



L-R: Olson Thomas, vice president of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Humanitarian Organization; Vaughan Toney; Zita Adams, public relations officer; and Earl Bailey, president.

“He’s been very supportive of us from day one,” he said of the pastor and evangelist at Attributes of Christ Ministries on Albany Avenue in Brooklyn.

“He goes the extra mile and always delivers for us,” Bailey added. “We look at him as a close buddy. He brings almost his whole church to our Prayer Breakfast.”

Toney, who, for over two decades, has combined a robust career in public service with a zealous commitment to child-care advocacy and community activism, said he was “doubly honoured” in receiving the humanitarian award.

“It is truly a sobering moment that, for my minuscule efforts, I should be awarded so lofty a commendation,” he said in his acceptance speech.

“I am humbled, and I am deeply grateful,” he added. “But, above all, I am profoundly inspired.”

Toney also lauded the nine-year-old group for its “selfless” service to the community here and to their compatriots back home.

“I see many of you in this room – good and decent people, hardworking and generous men and women – who will not eat your bread alone while your neighbour goes hungry,” he said.

“I believe this is the highest form of humanitarianism – to give of yourself unasked, because you believe in your heart that it is the right thing to do,” he added.



L-R: Thomas; Rev. Muckett and wife, Claudette; and Bailey.

Bailey said the group has, over the years, among other things, provided medical and other supplies to the Georgetown Hospital; assisted Bethel Cares, a feeding programme in Georgetown; and furnished scholarships to three students at the Georgetown Secondary School.

Rev. Muckett, who was a stout defender in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines national football team in the 1960’s to early 1970’s and captained the Sion Hill football team for a number of years, said he was elated with the honour, praising Almighty God for His “wondrous works.”

“From the time the Lord called me, I’ve been always involved in evangelistic outreach, willing and ready to work along with any Body of Christ that says Jesus and means Jesus,” said Rev. Muckett, originally from Frenches, who migrated to New York in 1997 and founded Attributes of Christ Ministries two years later.

“Because of the Grace of God and His purpose for my life, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Humanitarian Organization honoured me,” he said in an interview.

“What I do is for the honour and glory of God,” he added.

Claudette Muckett, Rev. Muckett’s wife of 34 years, said she was very proud of her husband’s ministry.

“I’m very proud that he’s doing what the Lord will have him to do,” said the bass guitarist in the church band.

“All the energy he used to put into soccer, the energy has doubled for the work of the Lord,” she added.