Sentry Insurance has presented a cheque toward the care of children at the Helping Hands Centre, framing the gift not as a one-off gesture but as the start of a sustained partnership.
Presenting the cheque, Fidel Taylor, manager of Sentry Insurance, recounted his reaction on first seeing the need at the centre, which provides day-care services for children with all types of disabilities and aims to give each child the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.
The centre is managed by the Association for People with Disabilities, a registered non-profit, community-based organisation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Taylow said that he told Junior Bacchus, chair of the centre, “We have to be a part of this for the long term, not just for the short term, not just a hit and run”.
He thanked Helping Hands for the opportunity to partner during a time of need and commended staff for their work, noting the difficulty of the job.
“These are the nation’s children, and it’s not easy to do this job. And we recognise it”
Taylor noted that Sentry Insurance is an indigenous insurance company that has operated in St. Vincent for more than 53 years.
He characterised the donation as the company giving back to St. Vincent out of its profits, and noted that while Sentry has long supported sports and culture, “this is the first time we’re doing something like this”.
The commitment totals $10,000 in two instalments. The first was handed over at the ceremony; the second, Taylor said, “will be presented in the new year”.
He described the money’s purpose in practical terms. “This is to keep you going to help to pay the bills,” he said.
Taylor used the opportunity to widen the ask, appealing to “persons out there … in the society, business houses, individuals to give your support” to the Helping Hands Centre at Montrose, which he noted is “taking care of the children in St. Vincent”.
He urged potential donors not to be deterred by the size of their contribution: “No gift is too small. You know, don’t underestimate whatever you can give,” Taylor said.