Soroptimist holds Cocktails, Carols fundraiser, donates to Helping Hands Centre

Soroptimist International St Vincent and the Grenadines (SISVG) continues to fulfil its social responsibility and will once again assist several entities during the Yuletide season.

The organization’s Christmas initiatives this year include: assistance to the Glebe Day Care and the Helping Hands Centre, while upliftment will be given through the ‘Women Behind Bars, ‘the Girls on Fire’ and the elderly recognition programs.

President of Soroptimist International Donnette O’Neil told SEARCHLIGHT on Saturday during the organization’s Cocktails and Carols fundraiser at Paradise Beach Hotel in Villa that persons are encouraged to donate.

She said the money will be used to fund their projects.

O’Neil said that this year, money from Cocktails and Carols, one of their biggest fundraiser events, will be used to, among other things, provide gifts for the children of women behind bars, throw a party for elderly people and give Christmas parties and gifts to students of the Glebe Day Care and Helping Hands Centre. Sanitary packages will also be presented to women at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH).

She explained that the ‘Women Behind Bars’ project has a success story, as a member of the Club coached one of the inmates and that person was able to pass several CXC/CSEC subjects.

“We also have an activity where we have elderly persons come out who are usually locked in; persons in wheelchairs also and they have fun and sing.

“We also support Glebe Day Care so they can charge a low fee; around $65 a month and we support the Helping Hands Centre,” O’Neil explained.

During Saturday’s event, a donation of EC$1200 was made to the Helping Hands Centre. It was accepted by the school’s head Annis John-Davis and O’Neil said donations of this nature help the school to fulfil its obligations as students who attend do not pay a fee. She said the Centre is also, on different occasions, given other donations.

Another aspect of the generosity of Soroptimist International is that they allow the World Pediatric Project free use of their office space to examine patients.

“To donate, speak to any member and all donations go to projects,” O’Neil stressed.