BSG Rolling Along

Barbados Support Group, (BSG), the youngest Barbadian association, continues to impress with its activities and partnership with the Consulate, as it quietly builds its membership.

This year, it also set out to support fellow Barbadian associations as it works to establish itself in the community, and was present at the fundraising events of the Nurses, Springer, BACA and St. George Old Scholars, along with that of the Panama Independence Committee and played a major role in the one for the Maloney family.

The BSG’s first event, in Spring, was a CPR training session open to the community, put in place by former President and founding member, Sonia Clarke. Some 15 persons received an introduction to the life-saving process. CPR in May compliments the Barbados Support Group, (BSG).

The give back was held at Suede Restaurant, which donated the space, and conducted by a staffer of the Staten Island Heart Society. Graduates were certified.

Coming off the success of the 2021 Barbados Gala, which was executed with the Barbadian Ex-Police Association, the BSG partnered with United Barbadians in Boston, (UBIM), for the Boston Spring Fling. It also managed the Pop Up Wind Down as part of Barbados in New York, (BYork), week in association with the Consulate and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., (BTMI), and held a Grab and Go during Labour Day weekend that was oversubscribed.

Its major event was the tribute and send off for founding member Earl Phillips, former Secretary Treasurer of the Transit Union Workers, TWU 100. Phillips retired earlier this year and returned to Barbados to live.

The surprise event brought out an array of public figures, headed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams and State Attorney-General Letitia James; a large contingent from TWU 100, heads of associations and friends and family of Phillips.

The BSG’s final event for the year will be the management of the Barbados Gala 2022. With unprecedented support, it will be the biggest gala to date and, hopefully, the best.

Next year, the group’s activities will include another CPR session, fund raising events in Spring and Summer including another Brunch with Barbados, the activity that launched it in 2021. There are also plans for a major community activity, spotlighting health, Barbadian small businesses and New York services, as well as a sports event.

The BSG, which purchased two chairs for the Paediatric Ward of the QEH, among other donations to Barbados, will also continue its support to worthy causes and of the Barbados Consulate.