More than 50 people turned out Thursday at the Tropical Ten Pins Bowling Alley to take part in the second annual Nemecio “Mecio” Camacho III Bowl for Charity, sponsored by Diageo USVI Cares, a group of employees at the distillery created to connect the community.
Camacho died in March 2012 at the age of 23, shortly after the birth of a daughter and his graduation from the University of the Virgin Islands process technology program. He was one of the first operations team members at Diageo when the company opened its facility on St. Croix in 2010.
Camacho had been a top junior bowler so a tournament seemed a fitting way to pay tribute to him, according to employees.
Iverissa Armstrong, a friend and fellow employee, remember that “he loved the game.”
“We wanted to remember him by doing something we all know he loved and by giving back to a charity in his honor,” Armstrong said.
Attendees were asked to bring nonperishable food items for donation to charity. A final tally of the donations was not available by Friday evening.
In addition to charitable efforts, Diageo USVI Cares engages in team building for employees, the group’s news release said.
Group co-leader Tanesia James-Smith said, “It was also important to us to form a group that would get together and volunteer in our community.”
The group has taken part in beach cleanups, painting projects, school supply drives, holiday decorating at the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged and tree planting in Diageo’s neighboring Harvey Community.
It recently launched a peer-mentoring program to help employees work toward their career ambitions and additional opportunities within Diageo.
