Vincy groups in Canada donate to activity centres

The NIS Golden Years Activity Centres recently received donations from the St Vincent and the Grenadines Unity Picnic Organizing Committee (SVGUPOC).{{more}}

This committee comprises two representatives from each of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Associations of Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal.

A release said it was the idea of Elma Gabriel of the Toronto Association to invite a request from the Black Point Golden Years Activity Centre. SVGUPOC took up the request and further extended the request to include similar donations to the Cane Grove Centre.

The donations consist of stoves, appliances, kitchen utensils, medical monitoring devises, linen and other items.

SVGUPOC was instrumental in getting Wes Edwards of Class Appliance in Toronto and Ken Chitolie of KLC Eastern Caribbean Freight lines to partner and to make significant contributions to this humanitarian effort.

The items were officially handed over at a ceremony at the Cane Grove Centre. Speaking on behalf of SVGUPOC, Jason Jones highlighted that part of his organization’s mandate is to contribute towards the social and economic development of St Vincent and the Grenadines, through a number of fund-raising activities.

He said the Golden Years Centres were chosen because his organization also wishes to further enhance the quality of life of the aged.

Also present at the ceremony were Executive Director of the National Insurance Services Reginald Thomas; Dawn Small, marketing manager of the NIS and co-ordinator of the activity centres; Jonathan Pitt and Sister Margaret Edwards, members of the Golden Years Activity Trust.

Thomas, expressing his appreciation to the SVGUPOC, said the NIS built the activity centres as part of its commitment to impact the quality of life for the aged in SVG.

He further said the NIS will be embarking on a marketing plan towards enhancing the use of the centres and indicated that an assessment would also be done to ascertain whether the centres can be expanded to provide limited stay-over facilities to senior citizens whose caregivers may be required to travel for short periods.

Small also thanked Jones and his organization for contribution to the centres and said the items would be put to good use and would of great benefit to the residents. She also stated that the donations would further assist the NIS in its mission to care for the elderly.

Speaking on behalf of the attendees, Ulin Clarke thanked SVGUPOC for the donations and said she is extremely happy with the service being delivered by the Cane Grove Centre, saying, “It’s a home away from home.”