Barbados Red Cross praised for assisting to build a better nation

Priest in charge of St. Lucy Parish Church, Rev. Curtis
Goodridge, says there is a strange wind of self
centeredness and self interest across Barbados.

Delivering the Sermon at the St. Lucy Parish Church’s
Sunday morning Service, 7th May, 2006, Rev. Goodridge, said “there are those who keep what they have, catch at what they can, and once happy, don’t care about anybody else.”

Rev. Goodridge called on Barbadians to exhibit the care shown to the Barbadian community by the Red Cross. “Our society needs more people like Red Cross Volunteers, people who do what they can to help others, people who do good in whatever way, large or small.”

The Barbados Red Cross Society celebrated 2006
International Red Cross Day, May 8th., with its annual
worship on Sunday 7th May.

Members joined the congregation of the St. Lucy Parish Church, for morning service.

Rev. Goodridge said that by reaching out to the less
fortunate, the Red Cross, through its community and health programmes, assist in building a better and healthier Barbados.

He appealed to Barbadians to recommit themselves to the model of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.

Rev. Goodridge urged Barbadians not to stop doing good deeds, “for good will not go unnoticed by the Good Shepherd. It will not be in vain. If you do good, good will follow you. Show a little kindness. In so doing you will assist in alleviating some of the problems of our society.”

Rev. Goodridge commended the Red Cross for helping in disaster preparedness and relief, for preparing persons in First Aid, CPR and Care Giver (formerly Home Nursing), for providing First Aid and Ambulance Services to public events; for providing meals to the blind, aged, incapacitated like amputees and shutins, and to the poor; for training young people in HIV/AIDS Prevention and building self-esteem, and for training children across Red Cross Youth Links in secondary schools in various skills.

Also addressing the Service was Barbados Red Cross
President,Dr. Raymond Forde, who is also a Vice President for this region on the Board of the International Federation of the Red Cross.

Dr. Forde said that last year was a record year for disaster relief.

He noted that hundreds of Red Cross Volunteers are to this day still providing relief, shelter and care, for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in the United States, and for the victims of the Asia earthquake.

Dr. Forde called on more communities to join the Red Cross and their District Emergency Organisations, and be educated in disaster preparedness and response.

Dr. Forde warned that all in Barbados are vulnerable to disaster, regardless of social status, ethnic origin,
religious faith or political affiliation. He cautioned all to be prepared.

Attending the Service were Red Cross Board members, staff, volunteers, youth links members, Representatives of Diplomatic missions and international organizations, as well as detachments from the Royal Barbados Police Force, Barbados Fire Service, Her Majesty’s Prison and the Girl Guides Association.

The Red Cross Flag Party for the Service comprised, Flag Bearer Jamal Hunte, Philip Yearwood and Kevin Small. Red Cross Youth Member, Melissa Kellman also read a Lesson.