By Hayden Boyce - Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
The Provo Children’s Home Build Group celebrated the raising of the roof on the new Children’s Home in Chalk Sound. Work is ahead of schedule and the roof is now completed. The Build Group members, their supporters and well wishers, and media were on site on Friday reviewing the work to date.Chair of the PCH Build Group, Tanis Wake-Forbes stated “we are delighted to be at this point in the construction and actually ahead of schedule. Our target date for completion of the building works is December 17th, 2009. After this we will begin furnishing and expect the current children and caregivers to move in at the beginning of January and then we will see the additional children on the waiting list being placed in the new facility, also providing them with a safe and nurturing environment.”
Tanis advised that although the building will be completed and available for the children in need and their care givers, this does not mean an end to the Build Group’s fundraising. “To get to this point we had to take out short term financing matching our three year pledges and room donations. We have raised close to $520,000 in committed funds over a three year period and have a loan for over $500,000 that will require payment over the same three year period. This means the Build Group still needs the support of the entire
Community.”
The Fund Raising arm of the Build Group have laid down solid plans for continuous fund raising while providing great entertainment and prizes to those that support them. Fresh from their sold out PCH Champagne & Sushi Cruise, which raised almost $13,000, the team is planning many fun events from December onwards. Many in the Community have also gotten on board and supported PCH with their own events such as the annual Thanksgiving Dinner held at Sharkbite, a booth is being provided to PCH at the Conch Festival and inclusion in the Somerset kick off to the Festival the night before. Also lined up is the 5k/10k Charity Fun Run hosted by John Wright of the Wrightfully Fit Fitness Center on November 29th and this will be an annual event with all proceeds going to PCH.
“We appreciate the very strong Community support from all sectors including Government and thank everyone for helping provide this much needed facility for the children of TCI.”
For more information on how you can support the PCH Build Group and the new Home in Chalk Sound please go to www.pch.tc or email dir@pch.tc or call Tanis on 231-5012 or any of the Build Group members you will see listed on the website.
The Provo Children’s Home, formerly at Nissi House in Thompson’s Cove, was forced to relocate after the hurricanes in September 2008 and currently is operating out of a private guest house, which cannot provide further needed space. The new Home will provide a 20-bed facility with additional overnight emergency rooms along with a living/media room, dining and kitchen area, computer/study room and caregiver accommodation. The Home is located in Chalk Sound on 0.97 acres of land which has been graciously provided by the Turks & Caicos Government, close to the Police Sub Station.
The Children’s Home Build Group is led by Tanis Wake-Forbes and comprises a collection of some of Provo’s most accomplished professionals and businesspersons, all of whom have graciously donated their time to the project. The goal is to raise $1.1 million dollars and all contributions are welcome. Pledge forms and information are available on the website: www.pch.tc.