THE American Women’s Club in Barbados is playing a “very important role” responding to needs in the community, says its president Waveney Clarke.
“The community needs us,” said Clarke.
“The Government can’t give them all that they need; their families can’t do it, and they need to turn to individuals like us to help support whatever they need,” she said, after the club heard from Barbadians it had assisted express their gratitude during a meeting at the Clock Tower, Garrison.
Adoriel Maxwell, head of the Precious Touch Foundation, told of successfully reaching out to the club for assistance on behalf of the foundation’s severely ill children, and showered praise on the organization for its community work.
Maxwell pointed to the club’s response to one of the wish-granting foundation’s recipients, four-year-old Janica Moore, whose wish to visit Disneyworld came true.
Precious Touch Foundation’s ambassador John King also pledged his support to the American Women’s Club, while commending them for their assistance to the foundation.
Saying an emotional “thank you”, Janica’s mother Jan held her daughter in her arms as she spoke about the delightful Disney experience the two had been able to share. She related how the little girl had suffered severe head injuries in an accident, resulting in several surgeries and a prolonged, difficult period of recovery.
Roger Gittens, head of the Barbados Community College’s music department, thanked the club for the much-needed amplifier given to the department. He said it was the one piece of equipment from which many students benefited and in turn demonstrated the department’s appreciation with a brief guitar performance by student Jesse Phillips.
Another student, art major Taneisha Shepherd, also thanked the club for assisting her.
President Clarke said it was heartening to see how beneficiaries of the club’s generosity appreciated the women’s efforts, made possible through annual fundraising events.
The American Women’s Club has been operating in Barbados for 60 years. (GC)
