U.S. Virgin Islands first lady Cecile deJongh delivered personal care packages to the homeless on Saturday during the Healthcare for the Homeless clinic session held at Bethlehem House.
According to a statement released Tuesday by Government House, the personal care packages contained travel-size toiletries, including lotion, shower gel, body spray, toothbrushes and mouthwash. The toiletries were collected from individuals in the community who have contributed to the first lady’s Tiny Tokens of Hope “toiletry drive” initiative.
Each member of the homeless population attending the Saturday event received a package after registering for a health checkup from physicians that also participated in the clinic.
“I encourage members of the community to continue donating to this initiative by dropping off travel-sized toiletry items at any of our collection points,” deJongh said.
In addition to the Government House drop-off locations in both districts, the orange-colored drop off boxes for the Tiny Tokens of Hope initiative can be found on St. Thomas at the Alvaro de Lugo Post Office near Emancipation Garden and East End Post Office in Tutu Park Mall.
On St. Croix, additional drop-off boxes are located at the Athalie McFarlane Petersen Library on Strand Street in Frederiksted and the Florence A. Williams Library in Christiansted.
On St. John, the toiletries can be dropped off at the Nazareth Lutheran Church.
The Government House release said Healthcare for the Homeless is a public-private partnership between deJongh, Catholic Charities and private doctors. The project is aimed at providing health care services to the homeless.
The initiative was launched in October and the clinic is held on the second Saturday of each month at the Bethlehem House. The sessions are open to the homeless and the underprivileged.
