Oct. 5, 2004 – Two local organizations donated $6,000 on Sept. 30 to the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute, under construction at the Roy L. Schneider Hospital.
The St. Thomas Chapter of the Masonic Lodge donated $5,000, and the Vendors Plaza Association gave $1,000 to the cancer institute.
The St. Thomas Lodge #9679 was formed in 1998 under the charter of the Grand Lodge of England. The Lodge has a rich history, tracing its origins to the opening of the Harmonic Lodge in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1819, according to St. Thomas Lodge President Phillip Augustine.
The organization is known for giving to charities. He said the 50 members felt the need to give to the cancer institute because they were moved by the island-wide campaign to give the gift of life.
"Many of our family members have been impacted by this terrible disease and found it most fitting to be able to give back to the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute," Augustine said.
The Virgin Islands Vendors Association was formed in 1991 as a non-profit organization with about 60 registered members. Association President Diane Magras-Urina said the vendors have been instrumental in starting the Adopt-a-Sailor program for the U.S. Navy, donating to the USO for scholarships, and donating to the Enid M. Baa Public Library.
"The vendors are very active in our community, and this is just another step on behalf of the association in giving back to the community," Magras-Urina said.
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