In reflecting on the contributions of current and past members of the Brooklyn-based Vincentian-American National Charities, Inc. (VINCI), president Wayne Ragguette says that the organization, on a whole, has contributed significantly io improving “the lives of many in our community.”
“We celebrate many of our past and current members who have contributed tirelessly to advancing the work of our organization,” said Ragguette, a political consultant in Brooklyn, in addressing VINCI’s 36th Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Independence Anniversary Luncheon at EL Caribe Country Club in Brooklyn on Sunday.
“We express our sincere appreciation to our current members for their dedicated work in the organization, and we acknowledge those members who have since passed on but have left their mark by the consistent contributions they have made to VINCI for many years,” he added, noting that VINC this year lost “two of our longest serving members,” both of whom were former presidents, who went to the Great Beyond.
Ragguette regretted that Vincent Bacchus and Augustus McMillan are “not here to join us at this independence celebration, but we know they would have been proud of this milestone.
“As an organization, we continue to build and transform, putting in place long term goals that, hopefully, will last decades after many of us have moved on,” he said. “We want to ensure that the legacy of VINCI remains strong and true to its mission, as the organization moves forward.
“It is our hope to leave a solid foundation for others who come behind us to build upon, so they would be enabled to carry on the work this organization has done,” he added.
“As we celebrate our country’s 40th independence anniversary, we are proud of the resilience of our fellow citizens and the work our government is doing, advancing our nation and people,” Ragguette continued, citing as examples the results of the education revolution; the modern, state-of-the-art international airport; new smart hospitals; and recently, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ election, as the smallest nation, to serve on the United Nations Security Council.
“We celebrate all that our country has accomplished.,” he said. “As always, I believe that faith in God gives meaning and purpose to life, and the greatest gift is service to humanity.”
Ragguette urged patrons to continue supporting the work “we do as an organization and donate, so VINCI can contribute even more greatly to projects that will benefit the Vincentian communities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and right here in New York City.”
“As one of the oldest Vincentian charitable organizations in New York, which has worked diligently over the years to fulfill its mission of helping Vincentians and other Caribbean nationals in the United States, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Diaspora, who are most in need of assistance, VINCI is determine to uphold its motto and mission,” he said, stating that the organization’s motto is: “Where Need Exists, We Pledge to Assist.”
