Consul General in action at Warehouse
A first phase of fundraising efforts undertaken by the Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto has yielded two 40-foot containers of relief supplies which will soon be shipped to the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) in St. Lucia.
The consulate general, through help from the Saint Lucian and Caribbean community in Canada and other corporate entities, was able to provide this humanitarian aid, which will go to victims of the recent trough. The consulate general has thanked all those who helped during that process.
The initiative began after a meeting between the Saint Lucia Disaster Committee, Consul General Michael Willius, consulate staff members, representatives of the Saint Lucia Toronto Association and other organizations, where it was agreed that funds would be raised in two ways; through donations requested by NEMO and the hosting of activities to encourage monetary contributions.
The Saint Lucia Toronto Aid Action Group (STAAG), the St. Joseph’s Convent (SJC) Alumni and other Saint Lucians living in the Diaspora were also among those who attended the meeting.
Appeals for support were made by Consul General Willius on Toronto radio station, G98.7FM, for four consecutive weekends. He was joined by Prime Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, Cabinet Secretary Daryl Montrope, Minister for Tourism Lorne Theophilus, and Minister for Infrastructure, Phillip J. Pierre in live broadcast.
Moreover, the consulate has extended special thanks to a number of donors:
-Kenny Chitolie of KLC Freight Services for providing the free shipment from Toronto to Saint Lucia of all relief donations
-G98.7FM for allowing the Consul General to appeal for assistance to the Greater Toronto Area
-Invor Bedessee and Rayman Bedessee for their donation of 10 skids of non-perishable foods, cleaning products and clothing
-The Saint Lucia Toronto Aid Action Group (STAAG) for 3 skids of medical supplies
-Vicky Augustin and Paul Fuller for their donation of 100 mattresses
-Richard Clewes and Sonia White of One World Schoolhouse Foundation for their donation of 25 boxes of cleaning products, hygiene items, non-perishable foods
-Asquith Williams of Charlotte products who provided 12 skids of cleaning supplies
- Kingsview Seventh Day Adventist Church for 60 boxes of clothing, hygiene items and toys
-Naomi Jules for donating toys, the SJC Alumni for their donation of toys and stationery
-Saint Lucia Toronto Association for their donation of toys
- Odesia President for donating toys and books
-Destiny and Dominion Word Ministries for their donation of non-perishable foods, cleaning products and clothing
-Deacon Beausoleil and Gloria Beausoleil for a donation of toys and stationery and Victor Beausoleil of Redemption Services for donating medical items.
The consulate also extended appreciation to Theresa Poleon and Jahnee Alcee for volunteering time to sort and pack donated items at its office.
The second phase of fundraising is now approaching, according to the consulate.
It informed that Interac e-transfer is now available as an avenue to accept monetary contributions for relief efforts via financial institutions. The consulate can be reached at info@stluciaconsulate.ca.
In addition to this, the Saint Lucia Toronto Association has embarked on a fundraising raffle. All monies raised will be donated to the Disaster Relief Fund.
The consulate thanked “everyone who came to the call of duty in aid of our brothers and sisters in Saint Lucia.”