One of the “giving trees” outside Kooyman hardware store.
PHILIPSBURG--Rotary Club of St. Maarten and hardware stores Ace Home Center and Kooyman are collaborating to assist Dr. J Foundation’s shelter residents with materials for their new homes though a “giving trees” programme.
This programme seeks to assist the shelter’s more than 30 residents with their transition to alternative living accommodations, said Rotary in a press release on Monday.
Rotary has placed Christmas trees – described as “giving trees” or “angel trees” – at the entrances of Ace Home Center and Kooyman. On the trees are handmade ornaments, most of which were made by children who live in the shelter.
On the back of each ornament is a picture and/or description of an item shelter residents need to begin the new year in a new home. These items include dishes, sheets, pillows, cooking-ware, lights, electrical fixtures, microwaves, and stoves.
Persons can choose an ornament from the tree, present it to a cashier and pay for the item. Close to Christmas, Rotarians will deliver all the items that were paid for to the shelter’s residents, according to Rotary.
“While the number of residents in the shelter – initiated by then-Minister of VSA [Public Health, Social Development and Labour – Ed.] Emil Lee and managed by Dr. J Foundation – has been steadily going down as the foundation and the caretakers have been working tirelessly to help them find suitable accommodations, it really brought to the forefront a serious issue in St. Maarten of the lack of affordable and available housing,” said Rotary.
“These people literally lost everything in the hurricanes [Irma and Maria in 2017] and really have nothing to start their new life with. We can all help spread a little Christmas cheer by helping them get the needed household items to get a fresh start and restore a bit of normalcy,” said Rotary Club of St. Maarten President Sherrylle Horsford.
“It’s such an easy way to help someone in dire need and brings forth the spirit of Christmas; giving and helping others,” she said.
The giving trees will be displayed at Kooyman and Ace until either all the ornaments have been gifted or the items have been presented to shelter residents, said Rotary.
Rotary also said that Rotarians will be collecting unused or overrun tiles, building materials, paint and other such items to help some of the residents make needed repairs to the homes into which they will move. Persons who have extra building materials or would like more information about the relocation programme for the shelter’s residents are asked to contact Rotarian John Caputo via tel. 1-721-543-7374 or by sending an e-mail to
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For more information about Rotary Club of St. Maarten, persons are asked to contact club’s press officer by sending an e-mail to
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www.rotarysxm.org.
