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Contact:
Primus Hutchinson
Wednesday, August 06, 2003 - A number of commercial entities, individual
donors and well wishers converged at the Mount of Prayer at Coubaril on the
weekend, to join in celebrating the first anniversary of the National Community
Foundation (NCF), a humanitarian subsidiary body of the National Insurance
Corporation, (NIC). Among the many dignitaries, were Prime Minister Honourable
Dr. Kenny Anthony and Mrs. Anthony and Governor General Her Excellency, Dame
Pearlette Louisy.
Board member of the NCF Lucian Isidore says, over the past year the National
Community Foundation has spent over sixty four thousand dollars in assisting
needy causes. Isidore also extended NCF’s gratitude to their many monthly
financial contributors. During the year, twenty firms made contributions to the
NCF and approximately 15 students benefited from the NCF’s scholarship programme
in August 2002.
Isidore indicated that thousands of dollars were spent in assisting students
through its scholarship programme. Other beneficiaries include senior citizens’
homes, the homeless and members of the Ex-Service League.
Isidore noted that during the NCF’s first year in existence, it played a vital
role inpositively changing the livelihood of many ordinary St. Lucians. However,
Isidore predicted that there are some challenging times ahead.
“One of the enormous challenges facing the NCF in the coming years is to be able
to position itself in a manner that allows the organization to remain a
charitable institution, without creating a culture of dependence among current
and potential beneficiaries,” Isidore said.
During the past year the NCF has established sub-committees responsible for
older persons, persons with disabilities, pensioners, disadvantaged children,
fund raising, public relations, the homeless, health and youth at risk.
A telethon organised by the NCF earlier this year netted just over $EC200, 000.
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