On Friday evening, First Lady Cecile de Jongh was pleased to host the special event, “Dinner and a Cause” at Government House, St. Thomas. The dinner party was held in the First Lady’s Garden and was organized to bring women together from throughout the Virgin Islands community to network, socialize, and raise money for Camp Shriver, a summer program for children ages 8-15 with intellectual and physical disabilities.

First Lady Cecile de Jongh delivers remarks at the “Dinner and a Cause” event in the First Lady’s Garden at Government House, St. Thomas, March 11, 2011.

The group formed in 2006 to raise money and awareness for charitable organizations in the Territory; this is the 24th time that “Dinner and A Cause” was organized to raise funds for worthwhile initiatives. Through its fundraising efforts, the group has raised over $120,000 in support of operations at various non-profit entities, such as Bethlehem House, the Family Resource Center, My Brother’s Workshop, the Salvation Army, Clear Blue Sky and various other organizations.

“This group represents the vision of an incredible group of women with a passion for positively impacting the Virgin Islands community. I am delighted at the generosity of spirit expressed through their fundraising and public awareness efforts and look forward to our continued work together,” the First Lady said.

Approximately 80 women attended Friday’s event, and each donated a minimum of $50 to Catholic Charities, which will go directly to fund the operations of Camp Shriver in both districts. 

In 2007, the Governor de Jongh and the First Lady met with National Camp Shriver creator and founder of the Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, to initiate bringing the camp to the Virgin Islands. They met with Ms. Shriver at her home in Massachusetts, along with Catholic Charities Executive Director Michael Aiken and V.I. Special Olympics National Director Janice Lee. Now in its fifth consecutive year in the Territory, the sports camp continues to provide recreational opportunities for children with disabilities. 

First Lady Cecile de Jongh poses with Camp Shriver staff Rochelle Todman, Terese Hodge and Jackie Nelthropp and Dinner and a Cause organizers Pam Larsen, Suzanne Mabe, and Terry Halpern, March 11, 2011.

Campers enjoy sports coaching in basketball, kickball, soft ball, soccer, swimming, and volleyball and participate in arts and crafts and cooking classes. The camp also organizes field trips for participating campers, such as visits to the Reichhold Center.

During her remarks on Friday, the First Lady thanked event participants “for taking the time not only to donate money, but for making the extra effort to give of your time in support of Camp Shriver.” She also praised the efforts of Dinner and a Cause founders and organizers Eula Castleberry-Hymes, Terry Halpern, Suzanne Mabe, and Sharon McIver.

Joining the First Lady in delivering remarks were Camp Shriver Director for the St. Thomas/St. John district Jackie Nelthropp, Sports Coordinator Therese Hodge and Sports Coach Rochelle Todman. Janice Lee, Director for the St. Croix district’s camp was not present at the event in preparation for the official opening of the Special Olympics on St. Croix Saturday morning. 

Camp Shriver will run Monday-Friday from July 5 - July 25, 2011 in both districts. The First Lady encourages parents and family members who are interested in learning more about the program to contact Jackie Nelthropp at 340-514-1630 for more information or to sign up for the summer program, which is free.