Helping to preserve our reefs – because it is the right thing to do

The idea of volunteering, doing something for society without pay, took leaps forward during the Olympic Games at Sydney. Thousands of people worked for no pay to help man the Games, and provide help and guidance to the thousands of overseas visitors. I can remember meeting firemen and others who had given up a week’s work, and pay, to volunteer. The London Olympics followed suit, with many happy and helpful volunteers.

I’m delighted to see that this spirit of helping others has not escaped the shores of Turks and Caicos. I met recently, for example, two men who are making a real contribution to the preservation of our wonderful coral and beaches through their own efforts.

Don Stark and David Stone have founded the Turks and Caicos Reef Fund, a non profit organisation to help preserve and protect the “beautiful by nature” Turks and Caicos Islands.

Two US retirees, they were so impressed by what TCI had to offer that they set out to support the work of the official Department of Environment in preserving the coral fringing our beaches. Their voluntary organisation has, for example, helped to create snorkel trails and signage, and installed dive boat and snorkel boat moorings.

Their work has made an international mark, and they were honoured by a visit to Providenciales by the grandson of the world acclaimed diver and naturalist Jacques Cousteau. His grandson Fabien saw some of what the Foundation has done, and also spent time talking to schools about the importance of our coastal environment – all thanks to the support of the Reef Fund.

Another great example of volunteerism are the many who support the work of the Red Cross here, which aims to support the too many poor and needy in our society. I look forward to meeting some of those volunteers at a fashion and fund raiser event at my home, Waterloo, this weekend.

I have also attended events arranged by Crimestoppers, a voluntary organisation aimed at combating crime in TCI and encouraging citizens to report important information. Under the leadership of Ian McLeod, and with a lot of voluntary support, they are another NGO boosting the work of the public service.

In the spirit of this blog, I would encourage any citizen to volunteer their information, no matter how trivial that they may feel that it is, about any of the recent high profile criminal incidents, in order to do their civic duty and to do the right thing by their country. I am sure that somebody in the TCI community must know something that can help the police crack these cases. If so, they can contact Crimestoppers in the Unites States completely anonymously on 1-800-8477.

I’m sure I will see many more examples in the next few years of volunteerism improving the Turks and Caicos Islands. If you know of any organisations which deserve support please do let me know.