Kiwanis Club hoping to help more families

Organisers of the ‘Each One, Reach One’ initiative hope this year to help twice as many families as they did in 2015.

 

Distinguished President and Treasurer of the Kiwanis Club of Bridgetown, Malcolm Smith, referred to this target while speaking to the media during a press conference yesterday morning at BICO Limited’s, Harbour Industrial Park office to launch the initiative. BICO Limited is again joining with the Kiwanis Club of Bridgetown to host the initiative on July 1 and 2, 2016 in the carpark of the Warrens Massy Supermarket, which Smith said is aimed at encouraging children to donate food items, books and toys to the less fortunate in return for a scoop of ice cream.

 

Smith’s comments came as he revealed that some 16 large hampers valued in excess of $500 each were packed and distributed as a result of last year’s drive, and he is urging Barbadians to buy something that their children can donate next weekend to children who are less fortunate than them. The appeal came as he explained that the Club liaises with the Ministry of Social Care and the Welfare Department to ensure that those who are most deserving of the assistance receive it.

 

“I would like to double that… We had a lot of interest last year, perhaps we might have had to have it for a longer period, but I think that with the advertising campaign that we are going to do and the push in the communities this year, that we should meet that target. I am very hopeful and expectant that we will reach that target,” he said.

 

The Distinguished President and Treasurer made the point as he noted that the inaugural collection drive brought home the “dire need” of some families in this country as a result of the current economic climate. With that in mind, he said that depending on how this year goes, next year may see the initiative expanding to more locations or becoming a larger single activity in an effort to appeal to more people.

 

“There are a lot of families in Barbados, a lot of people who are suffering with children and I think it is up to us, those who are in a position to help, to help bring those ones up, to give them that assistance, to show that type of love to humanity, which I think only makes this society a better society,” he added.

 

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of BICO, Barri Farnum, Manager of the Mobile Fleet said the company is pleased to once again partner with the Kiwanis Club to give back the community in which they operate. (JRT)