May 5, 2009 – After two years of raising the necessary funds, the St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association and the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce will deliver the first of two 15-passenger Ford vans to the Boys & Girls Club of St. Croix at 3:30 p.m., on Thursday, May 7.
"The donation of these vans to our organization is a tremendous gift for which we are sincerely grateful," said Julie Landreneau, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club. "Having transportation will give us the ability to expand our programs and better serve the children enrolled in our clubs. Having the Boys & Girls Clubs of the USVI associated with a successful event as Holiday Hope offers an opportunity to be exposed to a variety of businesses and individuals in our community."
The vans were purchased through donations and the sale of silent auction items at the association's annual Holiday Hope event hosted by the HTA and COC.
"We are just delighted to be able to make this donation," said Earl Powell, president of the St. Croix HTA. This effort was the brainchild of our late president and friend, Patrick Henry. We were determined to bring his dream to fruition."
"The Boys and Girls Club offer our young people a safe and secure sanctuary from the street corners as well as recreational, educational and personal development opportunities that will help them mature into productive and responsible adults," said Michael Dembeck executive director of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce. "We are pleased to be a partner with the St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association in supporting the Boys and Girls Club in its efforts to encourage and nurture our next generation."