A wide cross section of charities and organisations in Saint Lucia were presented with the proceeds from the annual Prime Minister’s Independence Ball on Monday July 20th 2020. At the ceremony, seventeen agencies spoke about the work of their organisations and how they would use the funds for those most in need which included the elderly, youth at risk, the homeless, students in need, feeding and taking care of the most vulnerable.

Among the recipients on Monday was the Mongouge Club 60-Adult Day Care- $25,000.00, Saint Lucia Crisis Centre- $10,000.00, Vieux Fort Children's Society- $25,000.00, National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities - $25,000.00, Helen's Daughters- $15,000.00, Girls of a Feather - $10,000.00, Aidez Nous St Lucie $7,500.00, The Pierre Foundation -$7,500.00, The Salvation Army-$10,000.00, Do Something Different - $5,000.00, St. Lucy's Home -$15,000.00, National Youth Council - $25,000.00, Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (VFCSS) Science Lab -$25,000.00, St Lucia Blind Welfare Association -$20,000.00, New Beginnings Transit Home - $10,000.00, St Lucia Cadet Corps -$10,000.00 and the Boys Training Centre which received $50,000.00.

“I want to say to all of you who said thank you to us, that really we owe you thanks. What you do is incredible,” Prime Minister Honourable Allen Chastanet told the charities and organizations present. “One thing that is common among all the groups is you are humanitarians, helping each other and that is what I saw here today. Persons who have not asked why but have picked themselves up to solve a problem.”

The Prime Minister commended those charities that responded right away to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The economic fallout of COVID has been harsher than any could have imagined,” Prime Minister Chastanet noted. “We know that many Saint Lucians did not have the resources to weather this by themselves. I want to thank all of you because you have certainly made it a lot easier for people . . . You have made me very proud but I matter not. I believe the Saint Lucians watching today will all join me in saying you made all of us proud.”

The Prime Minister’s Independence Ball held as part of the nation’s Independence activities is organized jointly by the Office of the Prime Minister, the National Independence Committee and hosted by the Prime Minister’s wife Mrs. Raquel Du Boulay-Chastanet.

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Mrs. Irene St Croix in welcome remarks at the event, noted that, “With Mrs. Chastanet as the driving force, the Prime Minister’s Independence Ball has been among the most talked about and anticipated event on the Independence Calendar of Activities since 2017. . . All that hard work, ticket sales and donated prizes for auctions have brought us to what really matters:  giving back to others. Being each other’s protectors and our brother and sister’s keeper, as the Prime Minister often reminds us.”

Speaking on behalf of the Independence Committee, Chairperson Mrs. Jeannine Giraudy-McIntyre saluted the recipient charities and organizations. 

“Your work is not just appreciated, it is vital to the social stability of our nation,” Mrs Giraudy noted. “The cheques you receive today are expressions of love, gratitude and charity from your fellow citizens and the corporate community. Thank you for standing in service to the Lord and for being your brother’s keeper.”

The Office of the Prime Minister and the Independence Committee thank all the supporters and patrons of the Ball who made the donations possible.

For the full ceremony visit: https://www.facebook.com/SaintLuciaGovernment/videos/290517612056516/