Genesis donates to Milton Cato Memorial Hospital

A 20-foot container with medical supplies was unloaded yesterday, and will benefit many patients at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.{{more}}

Last Thursday, the Genesis Foundation, which was founded by Vincentian internationally acclaimed artiste Kevin Lyttle, donated the 20 ft container of supplies to the Memorial Hospital.

In a conference, which took place via Skype, director of the foundation Jacqueline James-Lyttle explained that the donation was made possible due to their acquaintance with Dr Ron Patterson of the Christian Disaster Response in Auburndale, Florida.

“I don’t think there’s been a better feeling than the feeling of when you can give back and give back in a big way and to the country that you’re from and to the people who really need it,” the director said.

James-Lyttle noted that the initial idea was to donate goods for relief of persons who were affected in the December floods, however, when she spoke with Patterson, they realized that there was a greater need in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“He was able to give us what he estimates to be US$500 000 of equipment and supplies to be donated to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. That includes bandages, bedside seating, crutches and a plethora of other supplies,” she said.

The director also took the opportunity to thank many other persons who were instrumental in getting the shipment ready and donating supplies.

These included local artistes Shernelle “Skarpyon” Williams and Raeon “Maddzart” Primus, who represented Kevin Lyttle at the symbolic handing over ceremony. The two artistes are signed to Lyttle’s record label, Tarakon Records.

On behalf of the Genesis Foundation, James-Lyttle also thanked the Ochsner Health Care System in Louisiana, which donated 45 infusion pumps that retail for about $1,000 apiece, Tropical Shipping, which charged the foundation 10 per cent of the actual cost to ship a 10 ft container and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority, which offered to accept the goods without charging usual administrative fees.

In his response, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves thanked the couple for their generous donation.

“It is incredible work just to give and blessing comes to those who give and those who receive, so there is a double blessing here today through your generosity and the generosity of your patrons and sponsors and associates,” Gonsalves said.

He also expressed his pride in the Vincentians, as they have been very successful in their respective endeavours.

The official unloading of the shipment took place yesterday.

The Genesis Foundation was founded in 2010, in honour of Lyttle’s mother, who died of heart disease in 2008.