Seven members of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Winnipeg Inc. this week made financial contributions to a number of organizations here.{{more}}

On Monday, January 3, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Winnipeg Inc. Shawnte Wilson, along with founding President John Jack and five other members handed over cheques to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross Association, Ladies of Charity, and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).

SEARCHLIGHT caught up with the members of the group as they made a donation of CAD $1,200 to NEMO, at the organization’s conference room at Old Montrose. This will go towards ‘Operation Recovery and Reconstruction’, which was formulated following the October 31 passage of Hurricane Tomas.

Wilson, handing over the cheque, said $1,000 was contributed by the members of the Association, with another $200 coming from the pastor and congregation of the Truth and Life Worship Centre.

“We were saddened to see and hear of the devastation of Hurricane Tomas on our homeland. We know in the aftermath you need financial assistance to tend to the difficult task of restoring housing to those made homeless by Tomas.

“We trust that these small gifts will help to provide some measure of relief to those desperately in need, and assist with the sheltering of the homeless,” she said.

Acting Director of NEMO Michelle Forbes accepted the cheque on behalf of her organization.

Forbes thanked the Association for the contribution, saying that the funds will go a long way in helping ‘Operation Recovery and Reconstruction’ to assist persons resume normal lives.

“We really want to express our deepest appreciation to the Association for coming forward and making this donation to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” said Forbes.

Earlier that day, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Winnipeg Inc., which was formed in 1976, contributed CAD $1,800 to the Red Cross and CAD $500 to Ladies of Charity.

According to Jack, the group has been making donations of cash and supplies to various groups over the years, and will continue to do so as the need arises.

The Association usually holds fund raising events to generate donations for their causes.

The Manitoba-based Association boasts a membership of more than 150 persons.