Vincentians roll up sleeves for relief
By Nelson A. King
After launching and reviving
relief efforts in the wake of
unprecedented circumstances
afflicting the homeland, such
as an effusive volcanic eruption,
dengue fever and the COVID-19
pandemic, Vincentian nationals
in the United States Diaspora are
already rolling up their sleeves to
dispatch much-needed supplies
to the multi-island state.
On Saturday, Vincentian
groups in New York and Florida
collected, sorted and packed
items for shipment.
Verna Arthur, chairperson of
the Brooklyn-based SVG relief
Inc., told Caribbean Life on
Tuesday that her group made its
first response to “a clarion call
issued by NEMO (the National
Emergency Management Organization)
on behalf of our brothers
and sisters in St. Vincent and the
Grenadines.”
“On Saturday, Feb. 27, a few
members of SVG Relief Inc. came
together at Standard Shippers to
pack containers in preparation
for shipment on Amerijet,” said
Arthur, disclosing that members
packed two commercial bins.
“I can safely say we will have
three commercial bins ready to
(L) Members of SVG Relief, Inc. with packed items, from left: Ynolde Walkin, Erline Williams-King, Consul General Howie
Prince, Atiba Williams, Theo Marshall, Celia Bramble and Verna Arthur. SVG Relief, Inc. (R) From left, DJ Eyes, DJ M1, Trublz
and SVGCFO Vice President, Ivor De’Shong. Angela Bacchus
be shipped on Friday,” she added.
“The objective is to have some
items in SVG by early March.”
Arthur, a prominent Vincentian
Caribbean L 8 ife, MARCH 5-11, 2021
cultural figure and community
activist in Brooklyn,
said items packed included face
masks, face shields, gloves and
shoe protectors.
She said other items requested
are collapsible jugs, cots
(supports up to 300 lbs.), mattresses,
folding chairs, folding
tables, battery operated lanterns,
reflective vests, traffic cones and
wheelchairs.
“Any donation would be
greatly appreciated,” said Arthur,
stating that donations can be
shipped to SVG Relief, Inc., c/o
Standard Shippers, 9502 Ditmas
Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11236; “or
you may contact O’Brien Simmons,
at 347-446-1827, if you
need someone to pick up your
donation.”
Mark Lindsay, president of the
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Central Florida Organization,
Inc. (SVGCFO), also told Caribbean
Life on Tuesday that his
group conducted a Mask/Food
Drive on Saturday, in Orlando,
Florida, “to benefit the people
of SVG.”
Lindsay that the event was
held in collaboration with “our
sister organization, the St. Vincent
and the Grenadines South
Florida Organization, which also
held a Mask/Food drive in Ft.
Lauderdale, Fl at the same time.
“We are pleased to report the
event was a resounding success,
as several boxes of food, masks
and other supplies were collected,
and several hundred dollars
in cash donations were received
– all of which will be used to
buy masks, sanitizers and other
supplies to be shipped to SVG,”
he said.
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