You are hereMessages From Leo / BLAZING THE TRAIL THIS SUMMER
BLAZING THE TRAIL THIS SUMMER
BLAZING THE TRAIL THIS SUMMER
All hail thee Sharpites
It’s been about 3 months since I have updated you on the plans for this summer. I want to assure you that all is well and our mission is rolling forward. Even though it seems quiet here on the front, the team continues to, plan, organize, and execute. I am proud to announce that the partnership and joint effort between chapters, the college and the Central Executive Branch have grown leaps and bounds in these past months. Also, as part of our continued commitment to the college, SSTCPSA aims to help SSTC strengthen its presence and its ties with the surrounding townships of Granville, Tucker/Irwin and the wider communities of Western Jamaica.
This summer in Jamaica is slated to be the most exciting and exhilarating of these four years of growth. The planned activities this summer include a one week day camp for the children of Granville and surrounding districts; a medical/dental mission to serve all people in the communities and our annual grand reunion to culminate the tri-phase event.
To date, after we reviewed the plans we engaged last September 2007, I am also proud to say that we are on schedule and will pull-off a successful summer of activities. Here are some of our accomplishments so far:
- Constitutional ratification in September 2007 .
- Acceptance of site for reunion 2008 – Jamaica (July 2008)
- The plans officially put in place during September 2007
- Financial commitments from chapters to fund projects ($5,000 each NY,FL; $2,000 JA)
- Quest to find medical and teaching professionals for the summer
- Contact with the college and with the Ministry of Health - October 2007
- Budget unveiled – December 2007
- Acquiring sponsors for the Super Raffle December 2007
- Plans for Fact Finding mission December 2007
- Fact finding mission in January 2008
- Payment for certification of medical professionals to Ministry of Health
- Meeting with medical professionals in Maryland (total of 25 committed persons)
- Official visit in February 2008, launching luncheon, raffle, missions and reunion
- Begin collection of medical supplies – February 2008
- Collections of teaching aides and supplies – February 2008
- Tickets for super Raffle printed – February 2008
- Tickets for Super Raffle WENT ON SALE-March 2008
- Organizing equipment and supplies to ship – April 2008
- Picking up and transporting supplies from Maryland and New York-May 2008
- Shipment of container out of New York – May 2008
- Third year luncheon – May 2008
Let me expand a little on the shipment of equipment and supplies. During the first weekend in May, a shipment of supplies for both the medical and education missions will leave the New York harbor destined for the hilltop in Granville Montego Bay. Members of the New York chapter and persons from Maryland hitched up a U-Haul truck, took inventory, prepared the supplies, loaded the truck and drove to Dennis Shipping Company in Brooklyn, New York. Equipment and supplies not limited to; examination tables, standing scales, filing cabinets, chairs, tables, microscope, otoscope, blood pressure kits, gauze, wheel chair, teaching aids, and hundreds of other items were trucked and prepared for shipment by the second weekend in May; Dennis Shipping Company (a sponsor) promised to have these supplies on the docks of Montego Bay by the end of June. The medical mission boast doctors, dentist, gynecologist, pediatrician, nurses, dental assistant and other administrative members ready to take on the week’s activities. The down payment on Villas has already been made for the lodging of the medical team. Ground transportation has also been secured.
WE ARE ON SCHEDULE. WE ARE MEETING OUR GOALS
The people who have worked on these projects so tirelessly have given their hearts and souls to clearing and paving the way for a successful summer of activities on campus. However, these preparations could not have been made possible without financial backing (money). While there has been personal financial input from individual members others have dedicated themselves to individual fundraising efforts and have made valuable contributions. New York, Florida and the Jamaican chapters have all given their promises of financial funding towards these projects and we expect that these funds will pour in by the end of May 2008 to offset the other major anticipated expenses. Proceeds from the sale of raffle tickets will also help in defraying the cost of this monstrous undertaking. Colleagues; assuming that all returns come in on time, we would have conquered our biggest fear; lack of money, and the benefits yielded will be displayed boldly as we host this summer’s events. We shall all have reasons to fly the flag of our alma mater higher than ever before.
It’s not all done yet; I could not complete my update without asking each of you to have an input- dedicate yourself to this great cause by selling as much raffle tickets as you can. To date, it is indeed the easiest method for us to add funds to our “likkle kitty”-our mission and to your chapter. Don’t let those raffle tickets rot away in you desk drawers. Sell them... Sell them… sell them…sell them.
It’s is not much to brag about; however, as of April 30, 2008, the chapters in the US have deposited $2,600 to the Super Raffle account at the Washington Mutual Bank in New York. We are aware that this does not reflect the true sales of raffle tickets so far, but we can only use the funds deposited in the bank as a yardstick to measure the sale of the tickets.. Please keep the deposits a coming my friends; we need momentum.
On Dr Walden
Last report on Dr Walden is that she is 80% recovered from an auto accident, which caused torn ligament/tendons to her foot. In a telephone call to Dr Walden a couple of days ago, her response to my question regarding her recovery was “I am ok; back to work and I have weaned myself of crutches and walking stick.” I guess I can say “ she is back!”
On another note, Dr walden also announced that FAB FIVE, Inc the center piece of entertainment this summer at our grand reunion. Guys, you don’t want to miss this one. Get in line though; behind me of course. Fab Five happens to be my favorite band on the music scene. I kno dat I gwine dance til my foot bruk.
I hope you have found the contents of this update to be informative. Tanks fi tek di time fi read it. Please stay tuned for more updates as we work feverishly towards July, I am looking forward to seeing you all in Jamaica where we will be having fun to the max.
Keep this link alive; watch us grow as we go.
I close with the following words:
SERVICE, COMMITTEMENT, EXCELLENCE.
KEEP THIS LINK ALIVE; WATCH US GROW AS WE GO.
A LEO GILLING