Governor-General pays a visit to geriatric homes on Mother’s Day

By Linda Straker

Residents of the Richmond Hill Home for the Aged and the St. Cecelia Home in St. Paul had a special visitor on Sunday and the mothers at the home were made to feel extremely appreciated as  Governor-General, Her Excellency Dr. Cecile La Grenade, presented gifts and corsages to them in her first official activity since taking the oath of office on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.

The day began for Her Excellency at 10 a.m. when she arrived at the Richmond Hill Home. She said she was happy and honoured to visit the homes, as it was her maiden activity since assuming her responsibility as Grenada’s first female Governor-General. She wished the residents a happy Mother’s Day and following a toast at both homes, she proceeded to pin corsages on each female resident. A fruit basket was also presented by Her Excellency to the two homes.

Governor-General, Her Excellency Dr. Cecile La Grenade, was
welcomed to the Richmond Hill Home for the Aged on Sunday.

One hundred and fifty-four corsages were presented to all the women who reside in the ten homes and a total of 271 persons were fed with light refreshments, including 118 men who also reside at the homes.

Dr. La Grenade accepted the opportunity to be at the homes at the invitation of the executive of Calabash Promotions, whose membership visited the ten homes for the elderly in Grenada on Sunday to present gift packs to mothers who are residents at the institutions.

“It’s our way of recognising and paying tribute to the mothers, especially the elderly mothers and those who reside in the homes,” said Keith Ventour, president of the community-based organisation, which is based in the Beaulieu/Mt. Gay area.

As part of the occasion, a rollator was presented by Ventour to the Richmond Hill Home for use by its
residents. It was received by Sister Yvonne King, on behalf of the institution. Gifts were also presented to the Hilarian and Cadrona Homes.

Meanwhile, the mothers in the Tempe area were also treated with a special gesture on Mother’s Day. Members of the Tempe Development Committee (TDC) visited the homes of at least five mothers to present food hampers. On hand to make the presentations were: Mr. Lester Smith, Chairman of the committee; Mr. Patrick Martin (member); and Mr. Roger Brown (member and coach of the Tempe All Blacks Football Team).

The hampers were prepared by the Marketing and National Importing Board, who also donated one of the hampers to the TDC. Ms. Dyna Courtney was the first mother to receive the well put together Mother’s Day gift, which included food stuff, fresh fruits and vegetables.