Vincentians in New York spearhead relief efforts

Vincentians residing in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were spurred into action last weekend to assist with relief efforts for the country of their birth.{{more}}

Their selflessness became necessary following the Christmas Eve/Christmas Day floods which devastated several communities of mainland St Vincent.

Spearheaded by the Consulate of St Vincent and the Grenadines in New York and COSAGO (Council of St Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations), the wheels were put in motion and by last weekend, Vincentians and friends of St Vincent and the Grenadines swarmed the Friends of Crown Heights Centre, bearing relief supplies of various kinds.

Within the space of hours, 78 boxes and barrels of medical supplies, personal effects, seedlings, toiletries, linen, clothing and other essentials, 1,158 cases of water and money were dropped off by the well-wishers.

Overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity of Vincentians in New York, consul general Selmon Walters last Monday conveyed his satisfaction and gratitude for the quick response.

“The support from the Vincentian Community in New York, for the relief drive for SVG is an overwhelming success… It is indeed encouraging to see the large number of our people who responded to the call by the Consulate to come together in support of those who suffered loss during the passage of the recent flood.

“…Vincentians in New York came out in their hundreds to donate and package the supplies”, Walters said.

With expediency, last Monday, the work continued, as the container was packed to be shipped to St Vincent and the Grenadines, under the guidance of Walters and deputy consul general- Edson Augustus.

Walters explained that the efforts do not stop with the initial intake of supplies.

“The event is ongoing and while we are shipping these, we will continue to collect supplies, so we are urging others to assist in the ongoing effort to rebuild St Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said.

Walters noted that commendations and thanks should go to several persons and organisations for their rapid response.

Among them were Vaughn Toney, the CEO of Friends of Crown Heights; Augustus for arranging with Amerijet to get the supply to St Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as Allan Silverstein, president of the Canouan Dive Center.

“Not wanting to single out any one, I want to thank VincyCares, COSAGO, Vincentians who donated and came out to assist; also Atiba Williams, Garnes Byron, Nolan Bulze, Junior “Soca” Jones, Narrisa Morris, Maxwell Haywood, Carl Monroe of Standard Caribbean and Fessie York of Standard Shippers; everyone else who made the event a success, too many to mention,” Walters said.

The main areas affected by the rainfall and subsequent floods are the Vermont and Buccament Bay areas, several communities in North Leeward, South Rivers, O’ Brien’s Valley and North Windward.