BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Valentine Day cheer came early for over 40 senior citizens when telecommunications company LIME and the Rotary of Liamuiga partnered in their “Make A Wish for the Elderly Project” on February 13.
The project, which began in 2005, was launched by former Chief Executive Patricia Walters of Cable and Wireless and was geared toward providing recognition to senior citizens in both St. Kitts and Nevis on Valentine's Day. Each year, one average of 25 packages are distributed and just about EC $5000 is spent on the project.
Since the project’s inception, church organizations, relatives and friends of senior citizens make submissions to LIME to bring cheer and comfort to the elderly on a day generally celebrated by a younger demographic. LIME in turn provides “all inclusive goodwill” to recipients by making their Valentine’s wish come true.
VP Corporate Communications LIME Laverne Caines told SKNVibes that the annual event allows the company to reach out to individuals who may not otherwise be able to receive a gift for Valentine’s.
“We thought that the people who are usually set aside because they are old and indigent, are often not remembered around Valentine’s Day. Notwithstanding their age, everyone should feel loved and appreciated on Valentines.
“It is true that the people more likely to benefit from our services are of a younger age group, but we thought that at some point in time in these people’s lives, they may have once benefited in some way from our services. Sometimes we find only social organizations make an attempt to recognize the elderly, but by giving them gift baskets and little trinkets, we may be able to bring joy to someone’s life.”
Dr. Larry Rawlins, a participating member of the Rotary Club of Liamuiga, said the partnership with LIME has made the project possible this year as the joint venture was extended to include more persons.
“The Rotary Club of Liamuiga and LIME have worked together in the Make a Wish Programme where elderly persons make a wish for something that they would like to have. We see how best we can fulfil that wish by presenting them at this time a gift or token for their Valentine’s Day.
“Through this project, we are simply giving back to our society to individuals who may not be able to celebrate at this time of the year,” said Rawlins.
