The Guyana Relief Council expressed appreciation for its many donors in the business community and in the wider Diaspora, at the Annual Luncheon and Dutch Auction it held recently at the Pegasus Hotel.
In her address, GRC Chairman Yvonne Hinds said the main objective of the Annual Luncheon is to extend gratitude to its supporters and to inform them of the charity’s achievements over the past year.
The GRC celebrated 18 years of service earlier this year. It has also provided assistance to persons from almost all the regions this year. This includes assistance tailored to the individual needs of 84 families comprising 365 persons who suffered devastation due to fire, floods, high winds/freak storms and those in difficult circumstances.
Among this group are seven families of 25 persons who were left homeless after their range apartments at Timehri were destroyed by fire, the Fisher family of five of Fifth Avenue, Bartica; Yolanda Bowen from a family of 12 of Stanleytown, WBD; the Jadookool family of five of Zeelandia, Wakenaam, the Bennet family of four of Sisters Village, WBD, Esme Johnson from a family of seven of Wismar Housing Scheme and the Douglas family of seven of Parfait Harmonie whose two children perished in a fire.
Welfare programme
Through its Welfare Programme the GRC also provides assistance to Elaine Williams a grandmother tasked with the responsibility of her six grandchildren all under the age of 12. It also effected repairs to the roof and stairs at the home of Orin West who is blind.
The GRC also dispatches monthly food hampers and hygiene supplies to Roxanne Winfield, a prison officer who was shot at point blank range during the 2002 prison break. As a result, Winfield lost sight in her left eye, her speech is impaired and she needs constant help even as she uses a wheelchair. In the near future, the Council plans to collaborate with another NGO to provide a house and furnishings for Winfield and her two teenage children.
It also continues to assist the Van Long triplets of Rupertee Village, Region Nine. Hinds said, “Through the kind courtesy of Trans Guyana Aviation and Mr Colin Edwards of Rock View Resort, quarterly hampers of foodstuff, clothing, books and miscellaneous items requested by the now teenage girls are sent to [them].”
She also noted that the GRC’s Emergency Shelter at Lot X Riverview Ruimveldt has provided an oasis to many families that have suffered losses due to disaster. During their stay at the shelter families have access to all the amenities and at the end of their stay they are given a “push start”: furniture, mattresses, beds, kitchen utensils, bedding, foodstuff, clothing shoes, cradles or bassinets, and other items donated to the charity at that particular time. Also, besides carrying out his duties as Shelter Administrator, Andre Wilson also volunteers his services as chef to the shelter. He has said that he feels a great sense of satisfaction when he sends off the children staying at the shelter to school with nutritious meals.
Mrs Hinds also noted that “lives and economic resources are lost due to fires” and the GRC is gravely concerned that children continue to be left unattended or with siblings who are no more than babies themselves. Another serious problem highlighted by the recent death of five persons, including three children in a fire in Charlestown is the use of grilles to provide protection from criminals which severely limits escape options in a disaster.
Even as it garners much needed funds, the Annual Luncheon celebrates its supporters, staff and other persons who have given of their talents and resources to help it fulfil its mandate. Among them are Mr and Mrs John Lewis of John Lewis Styles, Dr Roger Morton, Mr and Mrs Oscar Phillips, Doris Lewis of the Gift Centre, Denise Fernandes, Dean Hassan, Neville Osman, Indrowattie Flaks and the GRC’s small staff of six: Lynette Carter, Alana Valentine, Rohini Bonar, Robin McLean, Desiree Harry and Wilson “who all work beyond the call of duty and whose efforts are sometimes invisible, but are vital to the smooth, efficient” and successful work of the GRC.
Hinds also extended gratitude to the Guyana Relief Council of Florida Inc, headed by Joan Sears, former secretary of the local body, for its donation of most of the net profit accrued from its Annual Dinner/Dance “which in no small way enhances our ability to respond.” She also expressed appreciation to Treasurer Barbara Walrond, Bonar and members of the Welfare Committee and to her husband, Prime Minister Sam Hinds for his support.
Plaques of appreciation were presented to the National Library, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, Dr Nanda Gopaul, John Lewis Styles, Neal and Massy and the Guyana Relief Council of Florida Inc. Presentations were also made to Ben ter-Welle and Dr Theodora Madekurozwa “for being constant and consistent with their support and in attending functions hosted by the GRC.”
The Dutch Auction benefited from a mirror donated by the Gift Centre, a pearl necklace donated by Dr Morton and a Blackberry Curve phone donated by Digicel.
