By Amin Kef Sesay
In a bid to complement Government’s efforts geared towards combating COVID-19 in the country, the Freetown Junior Dinner Club has on Wednesday 20th May, 2020 donated a consignment of food items worth millions of Leones to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). The donated items include 35 Bags of Rice (25kg), 250 Bundles of water, 7 Bags of Onion, 20 Gallons of Padi Cooking Oil etc. The handing over ceremony took place at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) situated at SLFA compound in Kingtom, Freetown.
Present at the ceremony were the Chief of Staff of the COVID-19 Response Team, Solomon Caulker, President of the Freetown Junior Dinner Club, Justice Nicholas Brown-Marke, the Treasurer of Steward Freetown Junior Dinner Club, Kobi Walker, Assistant Treasurer Steward Freetown Junior Dinner Club, Benonie Macaulay, Deputy Lead for Transport and Logistics of the COVID-19 Response Team, Abdul Karim Turay etc.
Presenting the items to the EOC, President of the Freetown Junior Dinner Club, Nicolas Brown-Marke, expressed appreciation to the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for the tireless efforts they have been putting towards the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, adding that as a club they decided to come together in order to support the fight saying in that regard they contributed among themselves and what they were able to raise was what they used to purchase the consignment of food items which they donated further affirming that they believe the items will be used to supply those who are quarantined.
He said two years ago when he became President of the Freetown Junior Dinner Club he decided that they should also engage in assisting the less privileged in society. He assured of their club’s continuous support towards the fight against the coronavirus in the country and in helping the less privileged.
He admonished all to adhere to the preventives measures in order to curtail the spread of the virus in the country saying such will enhance the country’s potency to have an upper hand over COVID-19.
Receiving the items, Chief of Staff of the Covid-19 Response Team, Solomon Caulker, expressed appreciation to the Freetown Junior Dinner Club for the kind gesture which he described as very timely.
He said the items will help greatly towards curtailing the spread of the coronavirus and assured them that they will be used for the intended purpose and target the right beneficiaries.
In another development, the Freetown Junior Dinner Club on the same day also extended a kind gesture to the St. Georges Home for the Aged at Grafton in Freetown were they donated Bags of Rice, Bags of Sugar, Bundles of water, Gallons of Padi Cooking Oil etc.
President of the Freetown Junior Dinner Club, Nicolas Brown-Marke, informed them that they have just made a similar donation to the EOC in order to support the fight against the COVID-19 in the country, adding that inasmuch as they supported the EOC they also thought it fit to donate these food items to the Sierra Leone Society for the Welfare of the Aged commonly known as the St Georges Home for the Aged. He assured the Home of their continuous support.
On his part, Treasurer Steward of the Freetown Junior Dinner Club, Kobi Walker, disclosed that the Club comprises members at home and abroad furthering how it is exclusively a male club.
He expressed delight over the donation to the Home of the food items which included 15 Bags of Rice, 50 Bundles of Water, 5 Boxes of Soap, 1 Bag of Sugar, 3 Bags of Onion etc. as a small token to support them during this trial time in the country.
He extended appreciation to certain members in the Diaspora like Tunde Ezekiel John and Dr. Roberts for their tireless contributions in making this donation a success.
Home Manager of St Georges Home for the Aged, Christiana John, expressed appreciation to the Freetown Junior Dinner Club for the donation, adding that such a gesture has made residents of the Home feel happy also assuring them that the items will be used for the intended purpose.
