Children everywhere hope for a new toy during the holidays. And around 750 underprivileged local kids will be able to share in that hope this Christmas thanks to the generosity of the St. Croix community.
That generosity goes beyond the toys donated to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation with the generation of $50,000 raised at the Holiday Hope Benefit Thursday.
Those funds will be shared between the Boys and Girls Club of the Virgin Islands and the Patrick Henry Hospitality Scholarship Foundation.
The St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association and the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce hosted the fourth annual Holiday Hope Benefit at The Palms at Pelican Cove.
“We are honored to be associated with the caliber of people in the chamber and St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association,” said Julie Landreneau, director of the Boys and Girls Club. Landreneau said through the groups’ efforts the last two years they received two new vans that allowed them to open up the island to the children in the clubs.
In lieu of the $40 admission to the benefit, folks could give two new toys valued at $20. There were also several locations around St. Croix where locals could drop off toys.
A silent auction was held with gift certificates, jewelry, books, gift baskets, dinners, art prints, services, and more as part of the benefit.
Auctioneer and local radio personality Rashidi Clenance of Sun Stroke Promotions gave a rousing performance, drawing the crowd in to spend.
“Stretch your arms up to bid, do deep knee bends, and open up space in your pockets,” Clenance bellowed into the microphone as he got people warmed up for bidding.
There were 16 auction items up for bid, including a St. John Escape at the Westin and two Seaborne Airlines tickets, a teak table from Gallows Bay Hardware, an original painting by Kimberly Lippman, a private lunch with Gov. John deJongh Jr. at the Palms Restaurant, a bareboat charter and more.
An Ibanez guitar autographed by country star Toby Keith, soulful songster Michael McDonald, Joey Molland, Sarah Buxton and Billy Davis of Badfinger was donated by DGL Hotel Management Group. Davis brought the guitar from Nashville and performed for the crowd after the live auction.
Kathyrn Piper, benefit committee chairperson, said more than 250 people attended the benefit. She added there has been a steady increase in attendance and donations. She said last year they made $38,000.
“We are extremely pleased and happy with the giving spirit of the community,” Piper said. She said it is under review by the committee how the funds will be used by the Boys and Girls Club. The committee is considering building a covered picnic /classroom area or it may be used for general operating funds.
“I had a lot of fun tonight,” said Stephanie Barnes, founder of V.I. Autism Network. “I think it is very important to support the efforts and collaborations of non-profits in their support of the community.”
Six Marines from the 3rd Longshoreman Platoon in charge of Toys for Tots in the Caribbean and stationed at Fort Buchanan in Puerto Rico were on hand for the event.
“The community involvement here is the best — with more toys collected than anywhere in the Caribbean — including Puerto Rico with a large population,” Staff Sgt. Michelle Hill said.
The toys will go to Catholic Charities, Bethlehem House, Village Treatment Center, Conflict Organization for Peace, St. Croix Mission Outreach, Light House Children’s Mission,Women’s Coalition and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
Major sponsors of the benefit were The Palms at Pelican Cove, Professional Holding Company, Seaborne Airlines, JKC Communications, Diageo and Bellows International.
