Gemma Raeburn-Baynes
The Spice Island Cultural Day Association of Quebec (SICDAQ) is spreading joy among Grenadian children for the upcoming Holiday season with their Christmas Smile Project.
Due to Covid-19 and the loss of many jobs in the country, SICDAQ with the collaboration of the Office of the Honorary Consul, Theodore H. Blaize, answered the call to assist children in need, in late October by shipping four barrels and six large boxes crammed with toys, books, school supplies, snacks, personal items and toiletries children’s homes and orphanages in Grenada.
The items were collected from Grenadians and friends of Grenada in Montreal, Toronto and the United States and will go directly to children at Belair Home (for babies to 18 years old) located in St. Georges, the Grand Bacolet Centre for adolescents, located in St. Andrews and Father Mallaghan’s Home for Boys in St. Georges
“An abundance of love is being shown by our organization to these needy children in our homeland with this initiative. Although with the short time we had to collect the toys and other items, we were able to come through with the help of our members and many supporters. We offer our special and sincere thanks and appreciation to those who answered our humanitarian call,” says Byron (Doggies) Cameron, president of SICDAQ.
SICDAQ, which hosts the annual Spice Island Cultural Summer Festival event in Montreal, has committed itself to supporting and strengthening institutions in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
In addition to the Christmas Smile project, the SICDAQ recently sent thousands of PPE supplies to the frontline workers in Grenada’s hospitals and the Royal Grenada Police Force dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The supplies were acquired through the association’s GoFundMe Campaign which raised more than $5,000. They also donated to Seniors Action Quebec, a non-profit organization advocating for seniors in the province.
The officers and members of SICDAQ would like to express sincere thanks to all who assisted in these very successful initiatives.
