Soroptimist International Barbados plans to relaunch its Adopt-A-Unit initiative to fund urgent repairs and refurbishment at its Eden Lodge senior citizens’ village, where several units remain unusable and demand for accommodation continues, its president said Tuesday.
Units the elderly occupy at the Soroptimist village. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham)
President Stacy Ann Charles said the village, which has 24 units, currently houses 20 residents, as several require repair. She was speaking at the village’s 35th anniversary service and luncheon on Tuesday at the Hildegarde Weekes Activity Centre.
The centre is named for a Soroptimist member who was the brainchild behind the senior citizens’ village after visiting a similar facility in the United States.
Soroptimist Hildegarde Weekes Activity centre. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham)
Charles told Barbados TODAY: “We have 24 units; 22 are functional, two need major repairs, so we’re raising funds for that, and we have two to be refurbished, like two awaiting renovation, so we’re going to place two seniors. We have 20 residents right now, so the activity centre caters to the general public but also to the residents.”
Charles said the Soroptimists are in need of labour, materials and funds to complete the work and rely mainly on fundraising to finance its operations.
“This year we have two major fundraisers. We have a charity golf tournament, Take a Swing for Charity, carded for October 4; also we will have a polo tournament, date to be confirmed. Really, all of the operational costs are covered by our fundraising work and that’s how we keep it running.
“We generate some smaller income from the activity centre because we do run this venue for small events, church services, sports, family functions, so we do earn from that.”
The Soroptimist president said the organisation has received support from corporate Barbados over the years but is hoping for a more long-term commitment:
“We’ve been supported by a lot of the major companies but we don’t have one fixed ongoing agreement, so every year, based on what our objectives are, we approach corporate Barbados.
“What we do need right now is support to cover our renovations and to keep up the regular maintenance of the village. There are lots of repairs by unit, and we are going to be relaunching our Adopt-A-Unit scheme where we’re going to give corporations an opportunity to adopt a unit and to complete the repairs.”
Charles described the past 35 years as a milestone representing decades of service to the senior community.
“We celebrate a legacy built on love, respect, and the belief that every older person deserves to age with dignity, purpose and joy. For 35 years, this centre has been a place of friendship, laughter, learning, and belonging. It has provided opportunities for older adults to remain active, engaged, and connected while fostering a strong sense of community.”
She said the centre has also given families peace of mind.
“It has offered families the reassurance that their loved ones are valued, respected and cared for. As we honour this achievement, we pay tribute to the visionaries who established this centre.”
Charles paid tribute to Weekes and the many others whose commitment has sustained the facility over the years:
“We pay tribute to the visionaries who established this centre. Sister Hildegarde Weekes, an honoured Soroptimist, who would have contributed to this cause; the dedicated staff, the volunteers whose unwavering service has sustained it, and many supporters and partners who have contributed to its success over the many years.”
Several volunteers and members were also honoured during the anniversary celebrations.
Volunteer Veronica Jackman Clarke was recognised for her dedication, while cleaner Shirma Pollard and cook Angela Collymore were also honoured for their service.
Veronica Jackman Clarke volunteer at the Centre. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham)
Angela Collymore was awarded for her long service as the cook at the centre. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham)
Shirma Pollard, cleaner at the centre. Photo credit: Lourianne Graham)
Faith Ford received the Spirit of the Community Award.
(LG)
