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CFVI Funds 25 Service Projects on MLK Day Grants represent a $25,000 investment in the USVI community

Boys and Girls Club members and volunteers distributed personal care/hygiene items to seniors in Oswald Harris Court on St. Thomas and learned more about the impacts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

U.S. Virgin Islands, February 3, 2021 — To encourage and support USVI community volunteer service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) joined groups around the United States in participating in the 2021 National Day of Service on January 18th. Observed each year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a day off,” MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. CFVI invited Virgin Islands nonprofits to submit proposals to be considered for reimbursement grants of $1,000 each to support service projects. A total of 25 grants were awarded, representing an investment of $25,000 in volunteer service projects. Projects included cleanup efforts, food distribution, serving meals for persons experiencing homelessness, and delivering needed supplies to the elderly.  “It was an honor to partner with community organizations and all the volunteers who devoted their time and energy to make a significant impact throughout the territory in just one day,” said CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown.  Descriptions of the grants awarded are listed below. Funding was used to support direct costs, such as equipment/supplies/materials, transportation, refreshments, stipends, and general operating support.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Sigma Theta Omega Chapter - St. Thomas & St. John - Provided catered breakfast, PPE, and other supplies to the residents of the Bethlehem Homeless Shelter and donated PPE to the fire stations and police station on St. John.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Mu Gamma Omega Chapter - St. Croix - Partnered with the Collective Collaboration, Inc. to feed approximately 100 individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Thomas/St. John, Inc. - St. Thomas - Club members and volunteers distributed personal care/hygiene items to seniors in Oswald Harris Court and learned more about the impacts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Caribbean Volunteer Services - St. Croix - Neighbors and volunteers did a cleanup in the Estate Smithfield/Two Brothers area to honor Dr. King, build community, and celebrate inauguration week. Community and Police Association - St. Thomas - Distributed food and supplies to Ebenezer Gardens and Lucinda Millin Home for the Aged.  DFG Community Impact Foundation of the VI - St. Thomas - Distributed food at Emancipation Garden and provided food and supplies to Ebenezer Home for the Aged. Eta Iota Iota Chapter of OPP Fraternity, Inc. - St. Croix - Hosted a cleanup at Dorch Beach in Frederiksted.  FLI INC - St. Croix - Hosted a cleanup and beautification project at Estate Mary's Fancy.   Frederiksted Baptist Church - St. Croix - Hosted an MLK Day Celebration, children’s forum, and bookbag and supply distribution. Grace Baptist Ministries - St. Thomas - Distributed care packages to the elderly, persons shut-in, and needy residing in the Bordeaux/Fortuna area.  Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas - St. Thomas - Hosted a cleanup of the streets and guts leading up to and surrounding the Synagogue.    Island Center - St. Croix - Hosted a cleanup at Island Center Theater. JJPP Homeless Shelter, Inc. - St. Thomas - Provided lunch to 100 people experiencing homelessness and elderly persons who are shut-ins in the area of the Market Square bungalow and throughout the alleys and byways of Savan. Marine Vocational Program (MVP), Inc. - St. Thomas - Hosted a cleanup and beautification project with students in Red Hook. St. Croix Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta - St. Croix - Provided meals to elderly persons and persons experiencing homelessness.

St. Croix Track Club Inc. - St. Croix - Hosted a cleanup from the Heavy Materials Quarry to the Mount Pellier Church pavilion on the Mahogany Road.  Strategic Solutions Network Inc - St. Croix - Delivered dinner to senior residents and others in need. Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School - St. Thomas - Hosted a cleanup and beautification on the school campus. The Harvest Church of God and Outreach - St. Thomas - Provided food and donated clothes to the financially challenged individuals and persons who are experiencing homelessness. The Humane Society of St. Thomas - St. Thomas - Hosted a cleanup of dog-walking trails, which had been overgrown since Hurricanes Irma and Maria. University Bound Program – territorywide - Hosted an online art class for children ages 4-12, facilitated by a recipient of the 2021 Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas’ Martin Luther King Scholarship Award. VI Stars In the Event - St. Thomas - Distributed PPE and other supplies to seniors and persons experiencing homelessness. Virgin Islands Institute for Agricultural Development - St. Thomas - Distributed food, bush tea, and seeds to persons experiencing homelessness and other underserved populations. We Grow Food, Inc. - St. Thomas - Hosted an educational program during a special MLK Market with video presentation of speeches, contests and performances. WUVI - St. Thomas - Hosted a virtual game/conversation to increase awareness and educate others by sharing historical facts about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights era directly with UVI students, faculty, staff, alumni, administrators as well as members of the general community and online audiences. ###

About the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands Since 1990, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) has been a catalyst for positive change in the Territory through initiatives committed to youth, learning, family support and the environment. With a professional staff and a volunteer Board of Directors composed of community leaders, CFVI is a trusted advocate and supporter of programs that ensure opportunity and sustainability for current and future generations. CFVI is a registered non-profit organization entirely supported by individual donors, grants, trusts, corporate donations and estate planning. For more information, visit cfvi.net.