The Tribune

By PEANDRA PRATT

FITNESS Connection, a group formed eight months ago to help the elderly and disabled, has hosted its first community service event.

A non-profit organisation, Fitness Connection chose Unity House on East Street for its inaugural event on Saturday as it was a home that many of its members had visited in the past, according to Dr Sean Knowles, the group’s Public Relations Officer.

Fitness Connection aims to help its members live a healthy lifestyle while empowering them on their journey of self-realisation, good health, happiness and community service. The organisation takes a broad view of the community and aims to use its strength as a group to make a difference in the nation

Unity House, which was established in 1986, is the third oldest home in New Providence and caters to the less fortunate who were abandoned by family members or whose family members could not keep up with their expenses.

“Thank you to Fitness Connection for all the work that they’ve done here and will do in the community,” Rev Janet Smith-Butler, the founder and administrator of Unity House, said. “I appreciate the time they took to make the residents of our home feel special. We need more groups like this who help all year round and not just during Christmas and major holidays.”

Unity House relies solely on private donations to fund the home and has found it difficult to keep up with the basic necessities. Currently there is a need for food items such as butter, spaghetti, tomatoes, onions and potatoes, as well as for basic cleaning supplies like bleach and washing detergent.

“It’s gotten tougher over the years because our need has gotten greater,” Rev Butler-Smith said. “The health of the residents is deteriorating. They need medicine and vitamins and a whole load of other things. As long as there’s a bed available here, then we will do whatever we can to help those in need.”

Fitness Connection’s members spent several hours interacting with the 30 residents currently at the home on Saturday and afterwards provided them with gift bags filled with toiletries and basic clothing items.

Rev Butler-Smith encourages people in the community to not only donate goods to the residents but to also volunteer their time and service. She says that “sometimes all they want is someone to talk to and that can brighten up their whole week”.

The President of Fitness Connection, Jarm “JJ” Mackey, told residents, “I am so happy to be part of a group that is dedicated to giving back to the community, and today’s visit will not be Fitness Connection’s last visit.” The group started in December, 2015, with 25 members.

Contact Rev Smith-Butler at 323-6128 or 601-5455 to volunteer or offer donations.