Guyanese In The Diaspora Inc., (GID), an organization created with the objective of highlighting and sharing positive information to nationals in New York, has created an impressive program of activities to begin 2022, contingent on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The group that has planned Guyana’s festivals, such as Republic (Mashramani), Independence Anniversary, and participated in Diwali and Phagwah celebrations, has high hopes that attention will be placed on these commemorations this year.
The Brooklyn-based group, formed six years ago at the Guyana Consulate, ended 2021 on a charitable note, by collaborating with St. Rose’s Alumni Association USA Inc., (SRAA), in a successful joint toy giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Brooklyn.
According to member Lorraine Croft-Fernell, the toys were donated by the Toys for Tots Foundation, whose mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys during the year, and distribute them at Christmas time to needy children in our community.
She said the goal to deliver, through brand new toys at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate boys and girls to assist them in becoming responsible, productive, and patriotic citizens, was felt at the giveaway.
This joint initiative between GID Inc. and St. Roses Alumni Association Inc., held for the first time, ran smoothly with help from volunteers from both organizations.
The charitable group included, Lorraine Croft-Farnell, Melnia Cordis, Wendy Gilgeous, Jonathan Locke, Standhope Williams, Claire Patterson-Monah (GID) and Compton Grose, Desiree Wharton, Ingrid Thomas-Clark, Cuthbert Hamilton, and Byron Henry Jr. (St. Roses).
These Santa-helpers brought smiles to the faces of scores of kids who received toys of their choice from the broad range of toys that were available.
According to Croft-Farnell, Guyanese in the Diaspora Inc., (GID) and St. Rose’s Alumni Association USA Inc., thanked Toys for Tots Foundation for donating the toys, noting it looked forward to collaborating again next year and in the future, to bring joy and spread Christmas cheer among many more of “our children in the diaspora.”
“Our appreciation to the pastor, clergy and members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for the use of their auditorium,” said Croft-Farnell.
