Many volunteers and donors in the Virgin Islands turned out on January 1, 2014 to give assistance to the disaster relief drive for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Photo: VINO

St. Vincent was ravaged by the rainstorm on Christmas eve causing severe damages to infrastructure and loss of lives. Photo: CMC

President of St Vincent and the Grenadines Association Mr Sean Rose. Photo: VINO

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith was among the many persons who was out in full support of the venture. Photo: VINO

Donations can be dropped off at the Red Cross office or at Travel Wise. Case or cheque deposits can be made at First Caribbean bank is Rotary Disaster Relief Fund account # 2345133988 and at First Caribbean, BVI Red Cross account #215053229. Photo: VINO

Rotary Clubs of the Virgin Islands joined forces with the BVI Red Cross and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of the BVI to up relief efforts for St Vincent and the Grenadines. Photo:VINO

A strategic plan for the relief effort was rolled by Assistant Governor, BVI Rotary Mrs Delma Maduro at yesterday's press conference which was held at her RiteWay Food Mart office, Pasea Estate, Tortola on December 30, 2013. Photo: VINO

Tomorrow January 1, 2014 a team of volunteers will be having an open village at the Festival ground at Road Town where they will be collecting donations of items, sorting and packing all day and appealed to persons to bring their donations wrapped in love. Photo: VINO

Two accounts have since been established for financial donations; at first Caribbean bank is Rotary Disaster Relief Fund account # 2345133988 and at First Caribbean, BVI Red Cross account #215053229. Photo: VINO

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association in the Virgin Islands headed by Mr. Sean Rose, had managed to successfully garner the support of Virgin Islanders through the Rotary Clubs, Red Cross and several private individuals to pull together support for their homeland which was ravaged on the eve of Christmas by a dreaded rain storm which resulted in the death of 17 persons and left many homes destroyed and flooded by the merciless floods.

The local organization attracted many volunteers to aid in the packing of containers of clothing, medical supplies and other non-perishable items that are expected to leave soon for St. Vincent.

“I am very thankful to the many persons who turn up today to donate items and those who came to volunteer to assist us in packing these containers, their goodwill is very much appreciated,” said Mr. Rose.

The group spent all day January 1, 2014 on the Festival Ground in Road Town collecting donations and packing containers. Among those who turned up to lend their physical and moral support, were His Excellency the Governor Mr William Boyd McCleary, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, and Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn.

While that exercise at the Festival ground was for that day, persons are being encouraged to continue to bring in their donations and to contribute to the two bank accounts in the case of financial donations. 

Donations can be dropped off at the Red Cross office or at Travel Wise. Cash or cheque deposits can be made at First Caribbean Bank at the Rotary Disaster Relief Fund account # 2345133988 and at First Caribbean, BVI Red Cross account #215053229.

See previous story published on December 31, 2013:

NGOs appeal for ‘generous’ donations in wake of Xmas day storm

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - In the wake of a Christmas eve day storm which ripped through St Vincent and the Grenadines, changing the lives of many for the worse, calls for help for the affected brothers and sisters have been intensified locally.

Rotary Clubs of the Virgin Islands have now joined forces with the BVI Red Cross and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of the BVI.

A press conference was called yesterday, December 30, 2013 by the three bodies with appeals to the general Virgin Islands (VI) population to pool resources to aid St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The call has been mounted despite the fact that the country’s leaders have made universal declarations that they are not a disaster zone and that it’s business as usual there.

However, the harsh reality is that while it is business as usual for certain sections of the country, many are desperately crying for urgent assistance. Their homes were ripped apart, lives have been lost, some have nowhere to call home, no clothes on their backs, no food to eat and worst of all, the country’s main medical institution is in total disarray.

The VI is dominated by various ‘peoples of the world’ which gives the real meaning of living as one family its true sense. The humanitarian side of the VI people is once again being tapped on as a universal call is now being made. Persons are asked to donate generously in giving non perishable items of food, clothing, finances and medical supplies.

All the Rotary Clubs in the Virgin Islands have joined forces with the Red Cross and the local St Vincent and the Grenadines Association to up the appeal for urgent help.

At the press conference yesterday all the clubs indicated individual drives to maximize the donations. It was announced by immediate Past District 7020 Governor Mr Vance Lewis that a fellow Rotarian has already committed to shipping/transporting supplies to St Vincent free of cost.

This he said is just a fraction of what the Rotary family has committed to doing towards the cause. President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Association Mr Sean Rose told reporters that while there has already been an outpouring of support toward the aid drive, there is an opening for much more.

He announced that tomorrow January 1, 2014 a team of volunteers will be having an open village at the Festival ground at Road Town where they will be collecting donations of items, sorting and packing all day and appealed to persons to bring their donations wrapped in love.

Director of the BVI Red Cross Ms Helen Frett also noted that they have already launched a collection drive and items can be dropped off at the office beyond tomorrow.

Two accounts have since been established for financial donations; at first Caribbean bank is Rotary Disaster Relief Fund account # 2345133988 and at First Caribbean, BVI Red Cross account #215053229.