Simpsonbay :--- Red Cross St. Maarten on May 30th, 2010 introduced its new board to some 30 Red Cross Volunteers. The new 5 member board consists of Mr. Paul Martens as President, Secretary/Vice-President Roy Richardson, Treasurer Ursel Biabiany-Gumbs, Member/Public Relations Cedric Peterson and Member/Legal Advisor Rik Bergman. It is the goal of the newly formed board to appoint 2 additional members in the near future. Paul Martens will be replacing 34 year Red Cross Member Sir Robert "Bobby" Velasquez who has served for 18 years as the organization's President, making him the longest running President of Red Cross St. Maarten and who will remain an active board member.
Mr. Martens says "it was an honor to be asked to join the Red Cross and serve as a board member. For me personally serving the community is something very important. I was raised with the concept that persons do not live for themselves alone and that one should assist others where possible."
When asked to share why it's important to a citizen of Sint Maarten having a Red Cross serving within its society Mr. Martens said "the citizens of St. Maarten should be proud to have a Red Cross organization on the island. They can count on the Red Cross to assist them if the need arises." He also encouraged citizens who are able to contribute to the organization to do so for this will benefit the population in times of need.
Red Cross Sint Maarten Treasurer Ursel Biabiany-Gumbs says that values instilled in her as a child by her mother is one of many motivating factors in her joining the board. "I was honored and excited to be considered to be part of such a relevant organization, whenever people are in need they think of Red Cross. Our diverse backgrounds, expertise and involvements in various local foundations will allow us to enhance the work and time that the previous members put in to the local Red Cross in the past years and take it to another level."
To help the newly revamped Sint Maarten Chapter of Red Cross achieve reaching that next level and returning to its former glory Board member Rik Bergman who serves as the boards legal advisor says that past health issues in his personal life has caused him to not take good health and good medical care for granted. "I am very grateful that I was able to get medical attention that led to a strong recovery. From that moment on I knew I wanted to dedicate time and knowledge to an organization in the medical field; that's why I am glad to be able to join the Board of the Red Cross."
Vice President of the Sint Maarten Red Cross Chapter, Roy Richardson, when asked why he chose to join the board says "I've always held the Red Cross organization to the highest esteem for their charitable works around the world and particularly in St. Maarten in times of need. I am honored to be able to serve our local chapter as a member of the board and look forward to working with my colleagues and our members in building on the foundation that exists today in taking the organization to the next level."
It is vital for any organization to have its line of communication clear and open to each of its members and above all to the community it serves says Public Relations Officer Cedric Peterson; "I'm proud and at the same time humbled to be able to use my skills in the area of communications in serving the Red Cross. I've always believed that one's personal gift(s) and talents go beyond the ability of being self-serving but include being able help and empower others to do the same. A community empowered through skill and knowledge building, qualities the Red Cross is built on, makes that community better fortified to endure any hardship it might face."
Red Cross Sint Maarten is where people mobilize to help their neighbors—across the street, across the regions and across the world—in emergencies. And we invite you to join us in this mission. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time and money to do its work.
Red Cross Sint Maarten is headquartered on Airport Road, Simpsonbay. Send email to find out how you can become a volunteer/member This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
