Bronx church honors community stalwart
Pastor Robert McBarnett presents award to Garnes Byron fl anked by members of St. Matthias
Charities, Inc. Garnes Byron
Caribbean L 6 ife, April 26–May 2, 2019 BQ
PATIENTS’
CHOICE
RATED & AWARDED BY PATIENTS
SM
By Nelson A. King
The Bronx-based St. Matthias
Charities, Inc. recently honored
prominent Vincentian community
stalwart Garnes Byron
during the church’s 7th Annual
Fundraising Dinner Gala at the
Friends of Crown Heights Educational
Center in Brooklyn.
The church’s Vincentian-born
pastor Robert McBarnett told
Caribbean Life afterwards that
Byron was recognized for his
“continued commitment to the
organization.
“For the past seven years,
Mr. Byron has worked with the
organization behind the scenes
by donating sneakers, slippers
and other valuable items to those
in need and less fortunate,” he
said. “For the past seven years, at
every event, he has assisted with
the presentation of the video
clips for our viewers to see what
their contributions are doing for
the less fortunate.
“Mr. Byron was very humble
in his acceptance speech,” Pastor
McBarnett added. “He promised
to continue working with the
group in whatever way he can.
He said whenever he hears the
word ‘St. Vincent and the Grenadines’
sign me up.
“Mr. Byron’s passion is to continue
giving back to his homeland.
“Honoring Mr. Byron was
the right thing to do,” McBarnett
continued. “It is important
that we recognize individuals
who continue to give back and
make a difference in other people’s
lives.”
In acceptance speech, Byron
thanked Pastor McBarnett and
his team for “the great humanitarian
work they are doing for St.
Vincent and the Grenadines and
neighboring Caribbean islands
by bringing comfort to the poor
and needy.
“As the good book says, ‘it
is more blessed to give than
to receive,’ and that’s why I
give willing and unselfishly of
my time,” Byron said. “I want
to thank my friends and family
for being here with me this
evening.
“Once again, I thank you for
the recognition and look forward
with working with St. Matthias
Charities, Inc.,” he added.
Pastor McBarnett described
the fundraising gala as “a success.”
“The event was well attended,”
he said. “There were returning
supporters and newcomers.
The organization shared various
video clips of its missions in
2018.”
During the June 2018 mission,
McBarnett said his organization
donated a dental chair,
four crash carts and an EKG
machine. The EKG machine was
donated to the Union Island Hospital
in the southern St. Vincent
Grenadines.
He said the group also donated
the following to the Ministry
of Health and local communities:
wheelchairs, walkers,
crutches, commodes, canes,
bath chairs, adult pampers and
medical supplies.
During the December 2018
mission, Pastor McBarnett said
St. Matthias Charities, Inc.
donated two electrocardiogram
(EKG) machines to the Ministry
of Health for distribution to
the Stubbs Clinic “and the other
where it is needed.”
In addition, the philanthropic
group donated a medical examination
table and four stretchers
to the Ministry of Health.
Twenty-eight cases of books
and a laptop computer were also
donated to the Dickson Government
School to start a library
program for the school and the
community.