The Anguilla Progressive Association of New York, Inc. (APANY) donated four containers (two 40 ft. and two 20 ft.) of hurricane relief supplies to Anguilla. The first two containers arrived in Anguilla on Monday, October 16, 2017 and were placed in the care of the Rotary Club of Anguilla. APANY has also engaged local volunteers, such as Yolande Richardson, Sabra Richardson and Denecia Niles, to aid in the distribution of supplies to those impacted by Hurricane Irma.
Endorsed by the Government of Anguilla, APANY launched our hurricane relief fundraiser APANY Donate (www.apanydonate.org) on September 11, 2017 and received US $137,155.00 as of October 16, 2017 to be divided among four causes: (1) general hurricane relief, (2) education, schools and youth development projects, (3) health care, hospitals and elderly care and (4) personal causes specified by donors.
APANY Strategic Planner Calvin Bartlett and Webmaster Christina Canzoneri diligently manage the website, as Treasurer Greg Hodge tracks all monetary donations and Public Relations Ambassador Shanice Davis operates APANY’s official Facebook and Twitter accounts, which have served as central sources of traffic to the online fund.
Composed of four branches, APANY has hosted several hurricane relief drives throughout the United States between September 23, 2017 and October 14, 2017: Brooklyn, NY under APANY President Carlson Connor, Miami, FL under Florida Branch President Godwin Carty, Washington, DC under DC Branch President Doreen Gumbs, and Randallstown, MD under Baltimore Branch President Leonard Richardson and member Maxine Herbert.
In support of APANY’s relief efforts, Anguillian musician Omari Banks has pledged to donate 100 percent of proceeds from his latest single, “Caribbean Strong,” to our fund. The former West Indies Test cricketer performed three New York City shows on a recent promotional run for the song at the Shrine (Oct. 18), Silvana (Oct. 20) and Common Ground (Oct. 21).
Most recently, APANY’s Florida Branch requested the Honorable Chief Minister of Anguilla, Mr. Victor Franklin Banks, to meet with Anguillians and friends of Anguilla in South Florida. Anguilla Government officials are scheduled to attend a special meeting of Caribbean Overseas Territory Heads of Governments on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Miami, FL to prepare for this year’s Joint Ministerial Council. A town hall meeting is then scheduled for 4pm on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at the Faith and Life Fellowship Ministries in Hollywood, FL. This town hall meeting will provide government representatives an opportunity to present information to expatriates on the recovery and rebuilding of Anguilla since the passing of Hurricane Irma.
The President of APANY, Carlson Connor, wishes to thank all who have participated in the relief efforts and encourages continued contributions as APANY branches across the USA render assistance to Anguilla.
APANY would like to thank all donors who contributed money and hurricane relief supplies to our Hurricane Irma fund and collective drive. A disaster of this magnitude required a community effort, and we are proud to report that the Anguillian diaspora and friends of the island joined together to make our efforts a success.
APANY remains committed to assisting the citizens of Anguilla in recovering from the massive destruction caused by Hurricane Irma and ensuring that contributions are made with respect, kindness and a sense of integrity that all Anguillians deserve in these difficult times.
As we shift our focus from relief for Anguilla to rebuilding Anguilla, APANY is accepting further donations towards this cause via www.apanydonate.org.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
