By Tracey Facey
The Kiwanis Club of the Garden Parish held its installation ceremony of officers and directors for the administrative year 2016/2017 on Sunday, October 30 at Glenn’s Restaurant in Tower Isle, St. Mary.
The afternoon’s event was called to order, with opening remarks, by outgoing president Angela Strudwick.
The Moneague Club was awarded with a cash prize of five thousand dollars for the best club project of division 24. They built a bathroom for the Mount Waddy Basic School in Friendship, St.Ann.
Introduction of the newly installed lieutenant governor Richard Austin was done by immediate past lieutenant governor Luke Thomas- Shorter.
In an interview with the North Coast Times, Mr. Austin explained that he intended to “create greater unison among all parties, particularly our youth, not only in this division the Eastern Canada and Caribbean District of Kiwanis International but across the four divisions in Jamaica.” Austin said he would be placing special emphasis on children and youth empowerment opportunities, as accessibility exists but it appeared the average person was not aware of them. He said efforts would be made to provide education and awareness of youth empowerment opportunities that exist. “I consider it a blessing to have been given the opportunity to positively impact the life of another, especially the less fortunate. I believe I was born for this purpose.”
The club lauded outgoing president Angela Strudwick for her selfless contribution to the club.
The newly installed president, Audrey Sutherland-Grant said she would continue to empower the lives of citizens. Some of her projects include building a sick bay at the Breadnut Hill Basic School; erecting “good parenting” signs at accessible points in the resort town of Ocho Rios and forming a Key Club at the Mansfield Heights campus of the Marcus Garvey Technical High School.
Tashari Francis, president elect in her vote of thanks expressed gratitude to Madelin Whitter and staff of The Glenn’s Restaurant for their warm hospitality and tasty meal.
