Amidst all the bad news we are forced to print here at Amandala, there occasionally lands a story that touches the heart and reminds us of the Belize we used to have. This is one of those stories.
Carolyn Reynolds, 50, whose day job is executive director of the Women’s Issues Network-Belize, celebrated her half-century on November 15, 2008. Such a milestone would demand a larger celebration than usual, and Mrs. Reynolds and her husband, Calbert, planned a party with family and friends at their home on Blue Marlin Boulevard in the West Landivar area.
Mrs. Reynolds, with whom we caught up at her office on Dean Street in Belize City today, says that one of her two birthday wishes was to be able to celebrate her 50th in good health and spirit, with her husband of 27 years and their two children.
What was the other?
According to Mrs. Reynolds, she “likes to see people happy”, especially children. Unfortunately, many of Belize’s children will see a less joyous Christmas than usual this year, whether because of the global economic downturn, or in Belize’s case because of the floods from Tropical Storm Arthur in June that swept through the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts, and those in October from Tropical Depression 16 that devastated Cayo and the Belize River Valley.
Mrs. Reynolds told Amandala she has always loved Christmas, ever since she was a child, and decided to do her part by donating to a local charity. But which one, and how much?
She says she took the problem to her husband, who came up with the idea to donate to the annual Salvation Army Christmas Appeal, which kicked off on her birthday, Friday, November 15.
At the birthday party, in lieu of gifts for Mrs. Reynolds, guests were asked to contribute to the Salvation Army. The money collected totaled $1,380, and was presented to the Regional Commander, Major Errol Robateau, on Tuesday.
Major Robateau, in the Salvation Army’s official release, called the contribution “an act of thanksgiving to God” and extended his thanks to the Reynolds, their family and friends for the contribution.
If you would like to emulate Carolyn Reynolds, the kettles are out across the City until mid-December, or visit the Salvation Army’s headquarters on Regent Street.