Gift of love - Kiwanis Club makes cash donation to West Haven Children's Home
Published:Saturday | August 4, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The West Haven Children's Home in Lethe, St James, has received a well-needed boost to offset its operational expenses with a cash donation of $200,000 from the Kiwanis Club of Montego Freeport.
The facility - home to disabled children, some of whom have been abandoned by their families - houses 82 wards of the State and operates at a cost of J$2.5 million monthly.
While the Government provides a subvention of J$1.6 million, the home has to depend on the assistance of donors to take care of operational expenses.
"The children of West Haven are more than grateful for this donation today because when it comes to finances, we are almost in a crisis," Gloria Veira, founder of the facility, said.
HEARTFELT GRATITUDE
Last Thursday, a team of Kiwanis Club of Montego Freeport members spent a day at the children's home and made the presentation of the money acquired from a fund-raising event.
In expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Kiwanis Club, Viera noted that the poor road conditions leading to the home made it difficult for persons who wanted to participate in the process of philanthropy.
"Unless you really love children and want to make a difference in the lives of children, one would not want to come to West Haven. But today, we are happy that you gave us this assistance and have continued to do so over the years."
The club has already helped to construct the J$8-million house for the children of West Haven.
Dennis Pryce, fund-raising chairman for the Kiwanis Club of Montego Freeport, said that the donation reflected the club's commitment to helping children.
"As we care for children of the world, we need to have the assistance of our members and corporate sponsors who helped to make our major fund-raising effort held in May a success," Pryce said.
"We are proud to be able to make this donation, and we look forward to working with our sponsors and West Haven in helping us to achieve this mandate of helping our nation's children."