The Rotary Club of Port-of-Spain held its 53rd annual Hand Over Dinner on July 3, at Jaffa Restaurant, Tragarete Road, Woodbrook. The Club also made additional donations of $15,000 to The Princess Elizabeth Centre; and, $20,000 to Heartbeat International.
It was a happy audience of friends, family and fellow Rotarians that filled the Jaffa's Restaurant as all came to witness the ceremonial "pinning" of new Rotary Club President, Patrick Grell (a former charter member of the Piarco Rotary Club), who begins his new chapter of Club Presidency after a successful run by Immediate Past President, Labib Najjar.
Chairing the proceedings was Sergeant-at-Arms Jeremy Matouk, who took everyone present, including guest of honour, Minister of the People and Social Development Dr Glen Ramadharsingh, on a journey through the Club's activities and achievements, including a peek at Najjar's tireless work ethic throughout his year as president.
Najjar was highly commended for his enthusiasm and he in turn thanked everyone who had assisted (and would continue to assist) Rotary's many projects and ventures. Among the many presentations made that night, the Avenues of Service Challenge Trophy (the President's award) was given to Director of Vocational Service, Alain Laquis, who started an Interact Club at Najjar's alma mater, Tranquillity Government Secondary School.
The project (Interact Clubs for teenagers) was based on a suggestion to help youth aged 14-19 made by the late Astra Da Costa, the Rotary Club's first female District Governor. Grell has his work cut out for him as new Rotary president, but he was already off to a good start with a new project aimed at 75 primary schools within the Rotary Club's Port--of-Spain locale entitled "Building Healthy Minds and Bodies for the Future."
He explained that not every child is a natural athlete, so a different "playing field" is necessary. Other types of activities (such as table tennis) will get the youngsters physically active, while more cerebral pursuits (such as chess and scrabble) will encourage nimble minds and the spirit of competition.
Helping others
Grell also hoped, that with the support of the Ministry of Education, Social Services, sporting associations, teachers and school principals, this programme will help keep children off the streets and out of the reach of gangs. In addition, Najjar had extra reason to celebrate as it was announced that through the Club, Peter Mc Lean, President of the Trinidad Dental Supply Co, donated an entire dental office (from chairs to x-ray equipment), which will be housed at the Princess Elizabeth Centre on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook.
Najjar mentioned that the project took awhile to get off the ground, but everything fell into place by the end of his tenure. The Rotary Club PoS also made sizeable donations to the following organisations such as the Princess Elizabeth Centre, the Gift of Life programme and Heartbeat International. The Immediate Past President said that he will continue his involvement with the Princess Elizabeth Centre's new dental office, which is designed to provide dental care for the underprivileged children in the community.
Said a smiling Najjar: "I've always believed in helping others and as Rotary President, it was a happy mission and quite an education. I'm both sorry to see it end, yet happy to pass on the torch and heartily welcome my successor, Patrick Grell. "I may get a little rest from the duties, but I still have my commitment to Rotary. All in all, I had a wonderful time, and I thank everyone who has actively supported the Rotary Club's efforts."