Bringing Joy Through Books: Our Team’s Journey in Donating 250 Books to a Pediatric Ward
In a world dominated by technology, the simple joy of reading a book can sometimes be overlooked, especially for children facing challenging circumstances. This belief inspired the Cane Bay Cares team to embark on a heartwarming mission: donating 250 books to the pediatric ward at Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital & Medical Center.
The project was sparked by our ongoing literacy campaign, which began last summer when we partnered with the USVI Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums and held weekly read-out-loud sessions during the summer months. With a mission to promote literacy and support children in need, we were looking for a project that combined both elements. We quickly realized that a pediatric ward, often filled with children undergoing treatments, could benefit from a library of books to brighten their days and stimulate their imaginations.
Customizing the book cart was a collaborative effort that brought the team closer together. We dedicated some time to assembling the cart and adding inspirational messages. The process was not only productive but also incredibly fun as we shared ideas and laughs along the way.
The feedback from the hospital has been overwhelmingly positive. It is our hope that the book cart will become a favorite feature on the pediatric ward, providing children with entertainment as well as comfort and a sense of normalcy. The books offer a means of escape and a way to explore new worlds, even from a hospital bed.
There is always more to do when it comes to literacy campaigns. We hope our story inspires others to embark on their own acts of kindness, proving that together, we can make a difference, one book at a time.
Cane Bay Cares is a service initiative of St. Croix-based Cane Bay Partners VI, LLLP. Cane Bay Cares was established after three strong hurricanes, including two Category 5 storms, Irma and Maria, caused much damage to St. Croix during September 2017. The initiative has a goal of providing relief to the citizens of St. Croix. To make this possible, we have partnered with St. Croix Foundation, which is a 501c3 nonprofit that was established in 1990. All donations to Cane Bay Cares are donations to St. Croix Foundation and are 100% tax deductible.
Cane Bay Partners VI, LLLP was formed in June 2009 and founded by internationally experienced business executives with many years of experience in the financial services industry. Focusing our efforts primarily in the financial services industry, our management consulting practice specializes in providing services to clients in need of sophisticated risk management models, debt collections organizations which require liquidation models and analytics, and portfolio management companies desiring a variety of services.
Since 1990, St. Croix Foundation for Community Development has been advancing holistic community development as a pathway to economic prosperity, self-sufficiency, and sustainability. Established in the wake of Hurricane Hugo, today the Foundation is one of the premier place-based philanthropic leaders in the Virgin Islands. Having served as the conduit of over $37 million private and public sector dollars invested into the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Foundation’s impact has netted national recognition in almost every priority area – from economic development and community revitalization to public health, education reform, and nonprofit development. Our mission is to encourage greater philanthropic activity, to marshal resources, and to act as a catalyst to benefit the people of the Virgin Islands.