MARIGOT--A ribbon cutting and release of white doves marked the official presentation of the new wheel chair-accessible bus to the residents of the Bethany Home during a grand ceremony on Saturday, in Galis Bay.
The nine-seater bus was on display draped in the green, white and orange colours of the Rambaud St. Louis Fête Association; the association that a year ago launched the ambitious community project in collaboration with Bâtiments Travaux Publiques (BTP) to raise some 60,000 euros to purchase the bus.
Witnessing the happy occasion included most of the Territorial Council: President and Vice-Presidents, Préfète Anne Laubies, Dutch-side President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, and some of the main financial contributors such as the Riu Palace represented by its General Manager Francisco Benito and Assistant General Manager Claire Guinon Firmin, and Semsamar Foundation.
Former Mayor Albert Fleming, district council representatives, and assembled senior citizens from St. Martin, St. Maarten and Anguilla were also present.
The ceremony began with a dedication and prayers by Father Samson. There were songs by the L’Esperance Youth Choir and the Hope, Love, and Charity choir from French Quarter. The St. Martin Song was sung by Sidonie Miller and a minute’s silence was observed for several persons who recently passed away.
Prior to the lunch, Father Samson blessed the bus with sprinklings of holy water. Vice-President Ramona Connor cut the ribbon after lunch with the assistance of Rambaud St. Louis Fête Association President Etienne “Rocky” Andrew and Bethany Home Director, Jean-Marie Marchais. Congratulatory remarks were made by Vice-President Ramon Connor and Guillaume Arnell.
For Andrew it was a proud moment and mission accomplished. He thanked his trusted Vice-President Josette January Dormoy for keeping the project on course from the beginning. He noted there were 212 benefactors who contributed; among these were many children who donated pocket money, two of whom he brought on stage, a little brother and sister who gave $20 each.
“It didn’t matter what sum of money you gave, whether big or small, the only thing that mattered to us is that you gave something,” Andrew told the gathering.
He read out a list of the some of the noteworthy contributors. They included Riu Palace (10,000 euros), Semsamar Foundation (12,000 euros), Delta Petroleum (2,000 euros plus one year of gasoline for the bus), Tackling Assurance (one year of free insurance), BTP (10,000 euros plus donated cost of bumper stickers), Hervé Dorvil (3,000 euros), 15,000 euros from Bethany Home suppliers raised by Marchais, and contributions from Senator Guillaume Arnell and MP Daniel Gibbs.
Marchais, who had already expressed his thanks numerous times during the past year at every donation, still found enough words to thank the public and businesses who contributed to the project
The keys to the bus were presented to him by Vice-President Connor. Entertainment continued throughout the afternoon with the Grain D’Or Dancers, Jolly Boys and the Control Band.
