Janelle Christie
The Kiwanis club of Ocho Rios in celebrating their 50th anniversary hosted a banquet on Saturday, November 19, at the Almond Tree Restaurant, in Ocho Rios, St Ann.
Master of ceremonies, Pauline Haughton kept the audience engaged with her humour and welcoming personality. The invocation was done by director, Dwight Russell, while the welcome, introduction and roll call of clubs was done by IPLG Luke Thomas-Shorter and assistant secretary Julian Gordon.
The new board members were installed and several golden anniversary awards presented.
The awardees are as follows:
Citizen of the year award, Elizabeth Thomas-Shorter, principal/CEO of the Saint Monica’s College, Ocho Rios; distinguished service award, Joyce Anderson, proprietor of the Healthy Way Restaurant, Ocho Rios; youth leadership and academic achievement award, Sasha-Gaye Beale, past president of the Ocho Rios High School’s Key Club.
The Kiwanis Godfrey Dyer Medallion award was presented to Carlton Mullings, who has served as a Kiwanian for 44 years. Additionally Lloyd Campbell was awarded as a senior member who has served as president on three occasions at the Kiwanis Club of Ocho Rios. He has also served as LGE and is the top fund raiser.
Four directors were installed. They are president, Ricardo Moncrieffe; president elect, Dennis Edward; secretary, Luke Thomas-Shorter and treasurer, Oswald Taylor. The remarks were made and installation done by lieutenant governor Richard Austin.
Paul Brown who is Jamaica’s first international Key Club trustee was also a guest at the event. He made mention of the club’s significance and was able to say the club has made him the person he is today, as certain values and standards were instilled in him by the organization.
Lascelles ‘Baldie’ Small led a musical interlude as dinner was served and the cutting of the 50th anniversary cake was done by the past presidents of the club.
The night’s event then concluded with a grand ball.
HOW IT BEGAN
The Kiwanis Club of Ocho Rios was orchestrated by the Kiwanis Club of Kingston and was chartered in September of 1966. The then president was Dr Osmond Tomlinson who led the club which had thirty two male members. It was in 2013, that females were officially inducted as members.
Fifty years later, the club is headed by Ricardo Moncrieffe.
After 50 years of existence the club has also achieved a vast number of its goals and wishes to accomplish a lot more.
They have assisted basic schools with books, paint and other basic resources; donated six police vehicles to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and three ambulances to the St Ann’s Bay Hospital. They have also done laundry at the said hospital; built a bus shed in White River and have been providing annual scholarships to students.
President Ricardo Moncrieffe told the North Coast Times that while he is president of the club he will work towards achieving several goals. He wishes to implement the following: a mentorship programme for students ages three to six; a programme to assist children with tuition, lunch and books; workshop for grade four literacy and numeracy as well as grade six GSAT students; math and literacy competitions among primary school students; football and netball competitions in primary schools and an annual spelling bee competition that will help students in preparation for the national Spelling Bee finals.
For the upcoming year they have planned a number of activities including outreach.
February 23, 2017- 50th anniversary magazine launch/ service club national mass inter clubbing evening and Godfrey Dyer awards function.
May 2017- Child’s month extravaganza. Donation of first aid kits to 50 basic schools and kiddies fun day and talent showcase.
July 2017– Family health fair with international support team and golden agers retreat.
