PHILIPSBURG – On Saturday July 7, 2018, The Rotary Club of St Martin Sunrise celebrated the installation of its new Board with an African themed dinner held at Patrona Restaurant, Simpson Bay Resorts.
Outgoing President Damali Bryson stated that the past year was very though for the club due to the damages sustained with the passing of Hurricane Irma. Some of our members lost their roofs or homes and businesses were badly damaged however despite all this the club still managed to push through and executed several humanitarian projects. The Sunrise club supplied over 500 medical supplies and accessories to the St. Maarten Medical Center and the White & Yellow Cross; water, toiletries and canned food were also supplied to the various community groups. These hurricane relief projects were made possible due to donations received from Rotary Clubs in The Netherlands, France, Canada, USA and regional islands.
Newly installed President Valda Hazel stated that she is extremely proud of her members and fellow Rotarians on the island for the work they were able to accomplish under the difficult circumstances, even though many of us suffered damages and had our personal matters to deal with; we went out and assisted with the rebuilding of our community. President Valda indicated that her club has sustained a major loss as of recent due to the relocation and resignation of three members; therefore one of her goals is membership extension and retention. President Valda thanked Past President Damali Bryson for her work done in leading the club and ensures her that some of the planned projects which were not executed during her tenure will be materialized this year.
The President inducted and introduced her new board which consists of Prakash Dialani, Irma Gumbs, Ahmed Bell, Angela Gordon, Marcellia Henry, Damali Bryson, Reywattie- Karani Debbie, Dolly Sadarangani-Ahuja, Daniella Arrindell and Bernadette Davis.
Rotary is a network of 1.2 million people in more than 200 countries and working toward the same goal, promises to make a significant difference in the lives of others. One of Rotary signature project is the eradication of polio from the face of the earth. Since 1985 the Polio Plus campaign has saved more than 2 Billion children from becoming victims of the disease.
The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise meets every Tuesday at The Gingerbread Café located in the Belair Beach Hotel from 7:00 – 8:00 AM. Persons interested in more information may contact President Valda Hazel at valda.rotary7020@gmail.com or Membership Director Damali Bryson at damalirotarysxmsunrise@gmail.com
