Pastor Louis H. Straker, Jr. and parishioners at Reflections Church, on Utica Avenue and Beverley Street in Brooklyn, have made a “beneficiant donation” of $5,000 in direction of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Hurricane Beryl aid effort.
Flanked by parishioners, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul Normal to the USA Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, and members of the Brooklyn-based SVG Aid USA, Inc., Pastor Straker offered a verify, on Nationwide Night time Out, on Tuesday at East 53rd Avenue in Brooklyn, to Verna Arthur, president of SVG Aid USA, Inc.
“It’s our biggest pleasure to contribute in direction of the Hurricane Beryl aid efforts by SVG Aid USA, Inc.” Pastor Straker, son of former St. Vincent and the Grenadines Deputy Prime Minister Sir Louis Straker, Sr., informed Caribbean Life afterwards.
“As we watched from afar one other pure catastrophe wreak havoc on the attractive islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, our hearts ached to see the huge devastation that came about, notably within the Grenadines,” he added. “The island of St. Vincent is especially particular to us at Reflections Church, as now we have quite a few members within the ministry who originate from there.
“As lots of you recognize, my father, the Hon. Sir Louis H. Straker, Sr., served as Deputy Prime Minister (Minister of International Affairs/Commerce and Commerce) for roughly 20 years,” Pastor Straker continued. “Not solely do I’ve a filial connection, however my spouse and I spent our honeymoon throughout Y2K on Palm Island, which, together with Union, Mayreau, Petite Martinique and Carriacou, suffered from the total brunt of Hurricane Beryl’s fury.
“After witnessing such destruction, there was no means we may sit again or just keep on with enterprise as regular,” he mentioned. “This known as for our religion to be activated by demonstrating the love of God and sharing of our means to assist our fellow man in any means.”
Whereas economically, it isn’t probably the most handy time to make a contribution, Pastor Straker mentioned, as his church is presently engaged in a “full intestine renovation of our new church constructing, we imagine now we have an ethical and religious duty to not solely rebuild our home of worship however to additionally assist help the rebuilding of many homes severely broken by this storm.
“We proceed to carry up in prayer the individuals of St. Vincent (and the Grenadines) and all these affected in that area and past,” he mentioned. “Might God grant them a speedy restoration, and should their religion see them by.”
McIntosh informed the ceremony: “Each little, we respect it. I actually warms my coronary heart.”
Arthur additionally informed Caribbean Life that Reflections Church had additionally made “a beneficiant contribution to SVG Aid USA, Inc. aid drive through the eruptions of La Soufriere volcano in 2021, and once more as we grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
“Phrases can not specific the depth of our appreciation to Pastor Straker and his parishioners,” she mentioned.
“We’re happy with the outcomes of Hurricane Beryl Aid drive to this point,” she added. “Because of the help of our distinctive volunteers, we had been in a position to ship 9 business bins and a 40-ft. container to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
Arthur mentioned among the many gadgets just lately bought had been: Mills and 100 mattresses.
She mentioned these mattresses had been bought from a neighborhood enterprise in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and shall be handed over to eligible individuals/households.
Arthur additionally mentioned non-Vincentians have put collectively numerous committees to conduct aid drives for international locations affected by Hurricane Beryl, and that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is amongst these anticipated to obtain donations.
She disclosed that St. Vincent and the Grenadines has now entered the restoration part from Hurricane Beryl, and that her committee is anticipating an up to date checklist of things wanted from Nationwide Emergency Administration Group (NEMO), “at which era we’ll regroup, acquire and put collectively these gadgets for cargo.
“Our lovely homeland wants us, our brothers and sisters want us, and each time we obtain that clarion name, SVG Aid USA, Inc. will reply, as all the time, at a second’s discover,” Arthur assured.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Minister Carlos James additionally mentioned on Tuesday that guests proceed to find the multi-island state, regardless of the affect of Hurricane Beryl on the southern a part of the island’s archipelago.
James mentioned that, following the passage of the class 4 hurricane on July 1, 2024, which prompted extreme disruption to components of the island chain and affected some tourism companies, the tourism sector “stays resilient and open to guests.”
“Despite the challenges encountered through the passage of Hurricane Beryl, our most important ports of entry stay operational, together with air entry to the Argyle Worldwide Airport,” he mentioned. “Our tourism sector is open for enterprise.”
Following two consecutive years of document progress in cruise ship arrivals to the island, the tourism minister mentioned St. Vincent and the Grenadines is making ready for an lively cruise season within the months forward.
He mentioned crusing the turquoise waters of the Grenadines is “nonetheless a favourite method to discover, snorkel and dive amongst turtles and different marine life.”
In a rush in opposition to nature to avoid wasting the world-famous Salt Whistle Bay, he mentioned the Authorities of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves has restored seashores on Mayreau in its effort to guard sustainable livelihoods and the pure atmosphere.
“Tourism trade stakeholders, together with lodges, and tour operators, are able to welcome guests by present and extra flights from our main supply markets and people crusing to our shores,” James mentioned. “Collectively, we’ll proceed to revive confidence in our tourism sector and can endeavor to make sure our 32 islands and cays stay protected for all to discover.”
For the upcoming winter season, he mentioned St. Vincent and the Grenadines will welcome American Airways’ every day flights from Miami, and new flights from Charlotte and New York.
Whereas Jet Blue commences operations in October from New York, James mentioned Air Canada continues its 4 weekly flights out of Toronto and Caribbean Airways and Virgin Atlantic proceed to service New York and London Heathrow, respectively.
