SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - As mobility is often a challenge for senior citizens, the Home Away from Home Taking Care of the Golden Age Foundation has sought to increase access to suitable transportation for its members by calling on the corporate world to assist with its goal. Community-minded businesses responded readily.

Thanks to those donations, Home Away from Home is now the owner of a new 2022 model Toyota 14-seater bus. Donors also helped to insure the bus for the safety of the driver and passengers. This new bus along with the foundation’s existing one will transport members for weekly meetings at John Larmonie Center and activities at other locations as well as transport members to errands if they have no other means of transportation.

Coordinating the project were Patsy Flanders of Home Away from Home and George Pelgrim of Intermar Group, whose companies were also corporate sponsors.

Home Taking Care of the Golden Age Foundation was established in 2003 and has a membership of more than (active and shut-in) 125 seniors. The need for a new bus arose as more seniors (over age 65) are encountering mobility issues as well as getting in and out of the public buses. The foundation’s 12-seater bus thus became insufficient for the growing need.

To fill the need, a community fundraising drive was launched back in 2017. At that time, the foundation was able to raise US $4,000, but Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck, and the project halted. It was picked up again only to be stymied by the COVID-19 pandemic. To move the project on this year, George Pelgrim came on board to lend his time and support.

Pelgrim said upon learning of the need for seniors’ transportation, he was more than willing to help with a community effort. “It is a corporate responsibility to give, but it is also more to give of oneself. This is why instead of just assisting financially, I thought it best to work to encourage others to come on board and make this happen for Home Away from Home Taking Care of the Golden Age Foundation."

Flanders of Home Away from Home was very thankful for the help and support. She said all the sponsors went above and beyond, even in these still tough economic times, to lend a hand to the seniors of Sint Maarten. She added her special appreciation for George Pelgrim for his passion for this project.“Thank you, Mr. Pelgrim, on behalf of the Home Away from Home Taking Care of the Golden Age Foundation and all the seniors who will benefit.

Along with Intermar Group, other companies and organizations adding their (financial) support to the van project were Danny Ramchandani of the Sant Nirankari Mission, who needs to be exceptionally thanked for his extraordinary support with this project Carrefour Supermarket , ICC Cargo, St. Maarten Port Services N.V., Windward Island Bank (WIB), Port of St. Maarten (St. Maarten Harbour Holding Company), Utilities company GEBE, Livvitt NV., St. Maarten Telephone Group of Companies TelEm, PSB Bank, Seven SEAS Water and KFC restaurants.

The van was blessed at a recent ceremonial handing over to the foundation by donors and donor representatives.

Pelgrim, who for many years has been supporting and continues to assist seniors and other foundations in need, encourages others in the community to reach out to Golden Age and other foundations assisting seniors of vulnerable groups in the community. “Every little bit counts. We all have to work on filling the gaps where we can,” he said.

Do you want to help Home Away from Home Taking Care of the Golden Age Foundation? Contact Patsy Flanders on + 1 721 520 2136 or via emailgoldenagesxm@gmail.com.

Some of the seniors who will make use of the new donated bus of the Home Away from Home Taking Care of the Golden Age Foundation stand with two of the main donors George Pelgrim of Intermar Group and Danny Ramchandani of the Sant Nirankari Mission.