Do you remember the delicious chocolate festival when the Canadian Women’s Club held an Easter auction in April at the Opa Greek Bar & Restaurant? They earned the most money they ever have ventured to donate so far… A grand total of 74-thousand dollars to an initial baker’s dozen of beneficial organisations known for their humane practices, this is how they assessed who will be recipients from the charity auction –
Decisions on allocating available funds were based on the following criteria:-
- Intended usage of the money as outlined in letters received, financial statements reviewed and projects discussed and observed
- Other funding bodies available to the organization or individual so as to avoid duplication and to be cognizant of smaller projects
- Applicants who are most needy and have limited fundraising capability
- Applicants who rely on us for a big part of their funding especially those that we have been supporting for a number of years
Burnscar Garment and Orthotic Fund for Children
This fund was started by the Canadian Women?s Club in 1984. It provides specific pressure garments, splinting equipment and therapeutic support to children and young people who are burn victims, and cares for any orthotic needs required by the child.
The CWC Burnscar Investment Fund
Since the inception of the Burnscar and Orthotic Fund for Children over 22 years ago, requests from the public for assistance have increased substantially. Since future years of fundraising cannot guarantee sufficient funds will be raised, the CWC has created a legal self sustaining investment fund to assist with these efforts.
The Caribbean Dyslexia Association
The Caribbean Dyslexic Association was established in 1994 to assess persons and to train teachers to properly educate dyslexic students. In 2006 the CWC adopted a student and provided a full scholarship which includes tuition for one year, a two week summer course, 40 lessons, registration and stationary. In 2007 the CWC has committed to continuing the same students training and provide a half scholarship for a second needy student.
Irving Wilson School – for the hearing and sight impaired
In 2005 a laundry program was started at the school to train the older students in laundry management and to assist them in finding gainful employment upon graduation. Students run the school-based laundry business and are taught the skills necessary for professional laundry services. The school quickly realized that to remain competitive they must also press the sheets they launder. This year the CWC will purchase a new presser for the school to ensure the future of this important program.
Barbados Council for the Disabled
Audio books on tape have been purchased in Canada at a significant reduction in price and transported to Barbados for the new resource centre and lending library located at Harambee House. A total of 391 titles have now been given to the Council to lend to visually impaired or elderly individuals to enjoy.
The Business and Professional Women?s Club of Barbados in support of the Women?s Shelter
This shelter takes in abused women and their children, providing a safe haven for up to three months. The women are provided with counseling and assistance to aid their return to the community. The CWC donation this year will go towards purchasing basic supplies such as bed sheets and towels.
Association of the Friends of the Geriatric Hospital
The Geriatric Hospital caters to chronically ill and elderly residents. The Association visits, entertains and raises funds to purchase equipment to enhance the client?s comfort, care and enjoyment of their lives.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul – St. Dominic?s Conference
St. Vincent de Paul is a voluntary organization, working with the poor and disadvantaged regardless of denomination. Our donation will go towards providing school supplies for families? in-need.
The Family Welfare Society
The Society is a charitable organization founded in 1930 to assist distressed residents of St. Michael parish. They provide funds to cover monthly expenses for those in need. The CWC donation will go towards on-going assistance to those in need.
Children?s Development Centre
The CDC is an evaluation and treatment centre for children with physical and learning disabilities 0-18 years old. It also houses a nursery school and workshop for children with disabilities. The CWC donation will go towards purchasing materials needed to make customized splints for physically disabled children.
The Thelma Vaughn Memorial Home
The Home provides 24 hour residential care for 12 physically disabled children and young people. The facility also includes independent living quarters for five young people. The CWC donation will go towards the cost of maintenance of wheelchairs and hoists for the residents of the home.
Barbados Society for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
This organizations primary goal is communication access for all. Their other goals include launching structured sign language classes, the development of stronger written skills and government lobbying for fair pay and employment equity for the hearing impaired. The CWC donation will allow the organization to enhance computers and to purchase software to assist in teaching deaf persons life skills.
The Haynesville Youth Drumming Troupe
A youth drumming troupe was started for children 5 to 19 years old in order to teach young people an alternative life skill and show they can succeed in positive endeavors. The troupe has won awards and has been invited to play this summer in Toronto. The CWC donation will be given to the National Cultural Foundation to purchase additional specialized drums for the troupe.
In addition to the above, the CWC in 2007 also:
- Donated 87 Christmas stockings full of small gifts for the elderly at six Nursing Homes
- Donated 200 lbs. of dried and canned food to Father Vibert to be given to the needy.
- Purchased and donated approximately 75 Christmas gifts to the children at Irving Wilson School for the hearing and visually impaired.
- Co-hosted a children?s Christmas party in the paediatric ward at QEH. Christmas gifts were purchased for the children and a Santa came to hand out the gifts.
Purchased specialized toys and art supplies for the playroom at QEH so the children who visit short-term and the long-term residents have something to occupy their time.
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