The ruins of the former Mariners Hotel at Road Bay, Sandy Ground, came alive on Sunday, February 16. That was when a mass barbecue party was held there to raise funds for the refurnishing of the Tender Loving Care Senior Citizens’ Home in The Valley.
The event was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Bogar of Veya Restaurant. It was widely supported by the expat community and a number of Anguillians. They filled the remains of the old Mariners Hotel restaurant building to capacity with many persons also relaxing and dining on the beach.
The Home was severely hit by Hurricane Irma, in September 2017, which ripped off its roof, damaged other portions of the building as well as furniture. The owner of the home, Mrs. Brenda Hodge, a trained nurse, transferred the residents under her care to her parents’ home at George Hill where some upgrading accommodation work was undertaken.
Sunset Homes, the local architectural company, owned by Mr. Ian Edwards (Sugar George) and Mrs. Janine Edwards, substantially repaired the Tender Loving Care Home, including providing a new roof, as part of their contributions to social life in Anguilla.
Mrs. Carrie Bogar told The Anguillian newspaper: “We decided that TLC Senior Citizens Home needed an influx of money to help with the reparations after Irma swept through and pretty much destroyed the home. Brenda Hodge moved the residents to her home, but we need to get them back into their former home. Sun Set Homes was great in rebuilding the whole property – and now we need mattresses, washers, driers, linens and all that stuff to get the residents back home.”
The Veya Restaurant owner continued: “I found out about it and I met a woman named Jane [Twentyman]; one named Sparkie; and others named Terry and Brenda. We decided to do something about it because there are a lot of elder people in Anguilla that persons don’t think about who are stuck in where they live. We decided to raise money to help them and will continue doing so. I can’t thank enough all the many persons who, with their businesses, have come to assist us with this fundraising event. We are hoping to raise US$7,000 for the washers and driers (but it is going to be more after counting).”
Mrs. Twentyman, a regular visitor to Anguilla, whose husband unfortunately drowned at Rendezvous Bay a few years ago, commented: “I have been involved with the Tender Loving Care Senior Citizens’ Home for nearly two years since the death of my husband. I met Brenda who affected me greatly and my therapy has been to get her back in her home which we are going to do in the next month or two. We have done a lot of construction inside the home, and we are also hoping to do some work in the garden as well so that the residents can sit out there. We are grateful to Sun Set Homes which started the renovation work after Irma.”
Last Sunday’s fundraising barbecue party started at 12 noon and continued until well into the evening. It was a delightful event which, apart from the grilled chicken and fish, included musical entertainment by Ira Bloom and others – and a fully-stocked bar with specially-reduced prices. The barbecue grills were operated by Mr. Calvin (Paper) Vanterpool and friends. The open and attractive beach scenery added much to the occasion.
