Project We Care VI, Hosted By The VI Pageantry, Donates Over 40 Boxes Of Items To Local Charities

ST. THOMAS — In the spirit of giving, Thanksgiving week was dedicated as the week of blessings for a large community service project in St. Thomas, hosted by Virgin Islands Pageantry, a press release issued late Monday revealed. Above, left, Virgin Islands Pageantry Founder Taiesa Lashley.

Titled “Project We Care VI”, the effort was a social media campaign asking Virgin Islanders, local and stateside; for “blessing bags” of much-needed items to assist the less unfortunate, according to the release. Two months later and with over 65 people participating both on and off island, over 40 boxes of items were donated to the Catholic Charities Bethlehem House and the Family Resource Center by November 30. The idea for the project came to Ms. Lashley while brainstorming for service initiatives that Virgin Islands royalty and residents who reside away could participate in.

The project resulted in countless pictures of participants posting with the hash tag #ProjectWeCareVI on social media, which inspired even more people to participate.

Packages came from as far as Alaska, California, New York and D.C. Local participation came from groups and organizations such as the CAHS Cheerleading Squad and the Ulla F. Muller Elementary School EarlyAct Club. Local businesses such as Viva Villas and Caribbean Foodie, Dream Catchers Entertainment and many VI queens that include, but is not limited to, Miss Plus America Elite 2015-2016 Jonesia Smith, VI Talented Teen 2015 Akira Pickering-Haynes and the 2015 Miss Bertha C. Boschulte contestants and Miss Large & In Charge 2014 Audrey Malone supported the effort. Former Miss IEKHS Teshanne Phillip participated as well, and Miss Virgin Islands 2010 Sheniqua Robinson lent a hand to the noble project.

Virgin Islands Pageantry donated the following items to Family Resource Center and the Catholic Charities Bethlehem House:

• Tooth brushes 432 each
• Q-Tips- 40 packs
• Toothpaste- 200 each
• Sanitary Napkins & Liners-60 packs
• Wipes- 53 packs
• Shampoo- 50 each
• Conditioner- 100 each
• Deodorants- 110 each
• Lotion- 50 each
• Soap (bars & liquid) – 325 each
• Socks- 12 packs
• Mouthwash- 50 bottles
• First Aid kits/Bandages- 50 packs
• Bacterial ointments- 35 each
• Aspirin/Ibuprofen- 30 each
• Shower caps- 5 packs
• Hand sanitizer- 5 each
• Razors- 93 each
• Cotton balls- 5 packs
• Powder- 10 bottles

The group also received donations of other items such as toilet paper, tooth brush and soap holders, detergent, blankets, pillows, wash cloths, combs, rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. Project We Care VI also took place on St. Croix with the assistance of JG Management, Miss Outstanding Teen 2014 Keshaundia Quinn and the Central High School Class of 2005. Their blessing bag items will be donated in the forthcoming week, according to the release. Virgin Islands Pageantry says it looks forward to making this initiative a yearly event and is extremely grateful for the support received in the project’s first year.

For any additional information please contact Virgin Islands Pageantry Founder and President Taiesa Lashley at [email protected]. You can also keep up Virgin Islands Pageantry service projects by liking the official Facebook Page.

Images provided by the Virgin Islands Pageantry.

Collage created by VIC.