In May, we chronicled the ambitious climb of a group of customs officers to the top of Victoria Peak over the Labor Day weekend. Sure it was a courageous climb but it was for the greater cause of charity. Today the fruits of their climb were for all to see at a handing over ceremony at the Customs Department.
They endured the harsh rigors of a three-day climb-up Victoria Peak all for this.
Gilbert Gordon, PR Customs Department
"It was the same we talked about when we went on the climb; that we would be giving back to society. What is taking place today is that actual physical giving back to society. What the committee did is that we visited the different institutions and we found out what exactly were their immediate needs. So what we did was purchase what exactly they wanted and how we can help them."
And that is $7,000 in furniture, supplies, and cash which were donated to the needy charity groups like the Dorothy Menzies Child Care Center, Raymond Parks home, and Belize Christian Effort.
Deborah Reynolds, Dorothy Menzies Child Care Center
"I am very happy because what happens is that a lot of men are here and I hope that the fathers out there can see what good men are."
"I want to say thanks to them on behalf of the Department of Human Services. We appreciate everything they did for us and hopefully other organizations will do the same."
Capt. James Garth, Raymond Parks Shelter
"We are very thankful for the effort they did to make this possible. This will be used for the benefit of a lot of people who are outside here who haven't had a place to sleep at night. So this will just come in to fit their needs."
And so was their "climb up" worth it?
Gilbert Gordon, PR Customs Department
"The feeling was of joy and appreciation and of accomplishment because within the Customs Department we have always been branded with this just taking away from society but the feeling now is that we are giving back to society so the feeling is of joy and great appreciation."
Q: Was the Climb Worth it?
Gilbert Gordon,
"The climb was definitely worth it and we plan to do it sometime next year. It's either going to be a climb or it is going to be something else. But definitely we are going to be doing something next year."
The other charities which benefited were the Golden Haven Rest Home and Sister Cecilia Home for the Elderly. The donation was valued at well over $7,000.