| St. Elizabeth Women's Group Walk for Haiti |
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Tuesday, February
09, 2010: In an effort to help alleviate the suffering of the
Haitians caused by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook the country on January
12, a group of ladies from the community of Treasure Beach in St. Elizabeth
fundraised and handed over close to J$207,
000 to Food For The Poor’s “Haiti Relief Fund.”
The group, Treasure Beach Women’s Group (TBWG), is a
non-profit organization of about 43 members, comprised of returning residents,
business women and unemployed members of the community.
“The
group was established in September 2000 to promote the advancement of women
through education, income generating projects and awareness,” stated president,
Estella Ebanks. “We undertake various outreach projects that seek to empower,
unite and inform the community and people in general,” she added.
Bearing
this objective in mind, the Group was convinced that they had to provide some
kind of assistance for the people of
As
early as 8 a.m. that Saturday morning, members of the group plus other
community members gathered for the walk.
They were divided into five groups – to spread the news in the five
“The
support was just overwhelming, words cannot describe it. Even children gave from their savings,” said
Rebecca.
After
giving the clothing items to the Salvation Army, the Group then had to decide
where to channel the funds. Food For The
Poor (FFP) was unanimously selected as the charity of choice based on the
relationship it has maintained in the community of
“FFP
has always been an integral part of this Women’s Group and the community as a
whole. In fact, FFP gave us our first building when the group was just
established in 2000, and was the first aid organization on the scene in the community
following Hurricane Ivan, providing homes and various relief supplies to the
victims,” explained Rebecca. “Therefore,
it was easy for us to select FFP because of the integrity they have maintained
over the years and they have proven themselves time and time again,” she
continued.
In accepting the donation, CEO of FFP, Ryan Peralto
said, “this is a fantastic effort on the part of the TBWG. It is greatly appreciated and I just want to
assure the members that their contribution will make a significant difference
in the
Much of FFP’s assistance in
Since the earthquake FFP’s facility in Haiti, which
has been in operation for more than twenty four years, has provided thousands
of hot meals for people daily, and has
installed an 8,000 gallon water tank in Delmas, the largest tent city in the
capital.
“We truly appreciate the public’s response to the
recovery efforts so far and we continue to appeal for even more contributions,
no matter the size,” Mr. Peralto
implored.
Persons can make direct
financial donations to a special account that has been opened at National
Commercial Bank (NCB). The account
number is 471043885. Items such as canned food, canned baby formula, and personal hygiene
items are also needed and persons may make these contributions at the Stella
Maris church.
The Treasure Beach Women’s Group was founded in September of the year 2000 under the
auspices of the Bureau of Women’s Affairs, and with the help of a U.S. Peace
Corps Volunteer, Ann Wilson. Our mission statement is “to promote the
advancement of women and the
Food For The Poor, the largest international
relief and development organization in the
-End-
CONTACT:
Petri-Ann Henry
Tel:
984-5005; 907-3664;
Email:
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