At the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club’s meeting on February 10, 2011, Valentine’s gift bags, mugs and “Love Bug” glasses complete with 160 handmade chocolate covered strawberries were distributed as a Thank you for all donors who made a contribution to the 2 children’s homes near Montego Bay that our club supports:
 
This fundraiser netted $425.00 which will be sent to our long-time Rotary friends in the Montego Bay Club to deposit in an account that can be used by the 2 homes as their needs arise.  This money will be added to other funds that our club continues to raise from occasional pie sales during regular meetings.
 
The two homes we support are Westhaven Children's Homes and Blessed Assurance.  For more information on both of these homes click on "more" below.  To view all of the pictures click on this link.
 
Westhaven Children’s Home is a legally established charitable organization in Jamaica. It was started in 1986 as a result of a survey, which documented the need for a residential facility in western Jamaica parishes to assist children with disabilities to reach their full potential. This varies from children with mild cerebral palsy, Downs Syndrome, and mental retardation to children with more profound handicaps.  Full time caregivers at Westhaven provide all necessary care including physical therapy and education. There are now 5 cottages with  approximately eighty children, ages three to twenty-six years old. The home is under the jurisdiction and is licensed by the Children’s Services Division, Ministry of Health. The on-going operational costs of the home are supported in part by maintenance funds from the Ministry, on Fit Persons Orders. The largest daily support comes from local and overseas individuals, businesses and groups. However, even with the current incoming funds, Westhaven continues to find itself in debt on a monthly basis and is in great need of additional funding.
 
Blessed Assurance is a similar facility that is also located outside Montego Bay. A Rotary Club from Montana recently donated 50 wheelchairs for the kids at Blessed Assurance. (Of course our friend Mr. Bhagwan Chuganey (International Service Director of the Montego Bay Rotary Club who has assisted with our ongoing service projects for Cornwall Hospital) was on hand for the distribution of the wheelchairs.)  There is also a recently completed chapel onsite now.