The Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas Lions Club has been serving our community for decades – four and a half to be exact. Recently, as the members of the club celebrated their 45th anniversary, they chose to honor five community activists who exemplified their motto – We Serve.
Corrinne Caines, Raul Carrillo, Arsenio “Papa” Rivera, Andrea Smith and Lion, Barbara Maynard, were those honored recently at a luncheon held at Victor’s New Hideout. All of the honorees were lauded by those who introduced them as being outstanding examples of how to serve selflessly. Each was presented a glass plaque by a member of the club. Corrinne Caines was introduced by her two sons, Camaron and Andrew, who were accompanied to the event by their wives. Raul was introduced by his good friend, Noreen Michael, who spoke about Raul learning to be of service to the community by his late mother, Leonor Carrillo.
Arsenio “Papa” Rivera was introduced by Bobby Thomas, who shared stories of first meeting “Papa” when he was a young boy who, along with his friends, thought they could run rings around him on the baseball field because they were the same height at the time. “Papa” quickly disavowed him and his friends of that notion. A great respect and friendship developed over the last many years. Andrea Smith of WICO was introduced by her best friend as other friends lined up to present her with tokens of their appreciation as her husband, Rupert, looked on with pride. Lion Barbara (Patsy) Maynard was well represented by a table full of family and friends, with other friends sprinkled at tables across the room. Among them was her brother, Dr. Lionel Rawlins, who traveled from Syria to attend the event. Her nephew served as the pianist and provided musical entertainment throughout the afternoon.
Among the many who officiated at the luncheon were Lions Rosalie Bedford, Carmen Matthew, Veronica Smith, Claudette Georges, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies, Bernadette Rogers, Diana Todman, Rubina Huggins-Malone, Lola Richards, Denise Green, Helen Hart, LaVerne Curdy and Minnie Lewis. Other Lions in attendance included Ronald Joseph, Sr., Leslie Leonard, Malcolm Kirwan and Patricia Wiltshire.
All of the honorees were well represented by family and friends, including Raul’s sisters, Iris Dottin and Gina Febres, his nephew Freddie Dottin and his wife, Terry, good friend, Robert Chen, colleague, Noel Green, and long time family friend, Dr. Secundina Mercado and her son, Danny Barretta, who was home for a brief visit with his parents, before returning to his demanding position as Marketing Director for Hearst Publications in Asia and South America.
Others in attendance were Roderick Pullen and his wife, Roosevelt David, Belinda West-O’Neal, with her husband, Roberto, as well as Karen Blyden, Editha Jackson, Darryl Wallace, Brittany Peter, Jenilee Gordon, Cheryl Counts, Vivian St. Juste, Bernadette Rogers, Gloria Giftt, Vincent Liburd, Doris Burton, and Elizabeth Acosta-Rivera with her son, Alex.
Musical selections were provided by trumpet player Clayton Emmanuel and vocalist Howard Jones. A myriad of door prizes were gifted to those lucky enough to have their numbers picked, and several raffle prizes were also distributed including a cruise for two. The buffet lunch included Scalloped Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Peas and Rice, Barbequed Chicken, Roast Beef, Baked Grouper, and a scrumptious assortment of cakes.
SCENE…….!!!
Invitations to public and private events may be sent to junearchibald2@gmail.com or source@viaccess.net.
