Mr Randolph Mactavious (left) receives a care basket for Father's Day from Mr Milton C. McLean of the Gifted Hands Programme. Photo: Provided

A care basket is given to Percy Benjamin (left) of Hannah's Estate by Unique Mc Lean. Photo: Provided

A resident of Hannah's Estate receives his are basket from Elijah Mc Lean (right). Photo: Provided

A father of Hannah's Estate is presented with a care basket by Unique Mc Lean on behalf of Gifted Hands Programme. Photo: Provided

These senior men were presented with a care basket and a meal prepared by a few young persons and associates of the Gifted Hands Programme.

“The recipients of the care baskets were chosen at random,” commented Member of the Gifted Hands Programme, Mr Milton C. McLean.

Special thanks was conveyed to Messrs Chris Smith and Brad Skelton, two (2) community minded young men of the Third District who willingly assisted by using their “gifted hands” to deliver some of the baskets.

Men appreciated too!

According to a press release from the Gifted Hands Programme, on May 14, 2017 which was Mother's Day, senior mothers were also given baskets through a similar venture.

The organisers therefore felt it was quite appropriate that the senior men should not be left behind and hosted this event. The collaborators expressed, “Generally mothers are regularly recognised for the role they play in the lives of their children. However, fathers, though not often recognised, also play a significant part in the development of the lives of the future leaders of this Territory, with some fathers even taking on a mother's role.”

The SCBBC whose motto is “Health and Discipline for Success” has been in existence for over 23 years, and has been actively touching the lives of many youth living in the [British] Virgin Islands  through its hosting of sporting and community activities. The Club's efforts are regularly recognised by the Honourable Julian Fraser RA and Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL), two (2) long time contributors/supporters of the Club's activities.

Service to community

The Gifted Hands Programme, an offshoot of the SCBBC provides volunteers with the opportunity to serve the Community by helping to empower and encourage the youths to use their “gifted hands” to provide outreach assistance to residents throughout the Third District. It is envisioned that as a result of the Programme young persons will be able to forge new friendships by interacting with the seniors and other community members, acquire new life skills and build self-esteem.

“Gifted Hands will need the assistance of many patrons to achieve its goal and the SCBBC will be relying on the generosity of the Third District Community to make the Programme successful while enriching the lives of its volunteers. This year's theme is ‘We Are Our Brother's Keeper.’”

Upcoming activities

A Reading is Fun activity is on the schedule to be held in the Third District for children throughout the Territory who will be invited to reading sessions in late August/early September, under the theme ‘Every Hero Has A Story’.

Community workers from the Third District will be in attendance to share their life stories as to why they took on such a role, and a story will be read to the children at the end of each session, preferably by a young person. The event will culminate with a free Fun Day Fair for children who attended a specific number of reading sessions.

As an incentive, young attendees will be provided with Gifted Hands tokens to play games, participate in a treasure hunt as well as purchase food and slightly used books from a mini book fair. For a small fee, the Fair will also be open to children who did not attend the reading sessions.

Meanwhile, the Father’s Day event was sponsored by businesses in the Third District as well as friends of the Gifted Hands Programme Giving Circle such as, Santa's Bakery and Restaurant, Kids At Heart, Sea Cows Bay Basketball Club, Mc Lean Tours/Friendliest Driver, Life Changing Ministries, Reaching Out Foundation, Kayron Todman, Chezley L. D. Stoddard, Julian Willock, Clifton Forbes, Tíesha Venzen and the Honourable Julian Fraser RA.

Persons wishing to learn more about the Gifted Hands Programme may call M Milton C. Mc Lean, President of the Sea Cow's Bay Basketball Club at 542-5555 or the District Representative, Honourable Julian Fraser, RA.