Governor Mapp And Corporate Sponsors Donate $140,500 To Queen Louise Home For Children

ST. CROIX — Governor Kenneth Mapp was joined by Virgin Islands corporate sponsors on Wednesday to donate $140,500 in what the governor hopes will be an annual event for the Queen Louise Home for Children on St. Croix.

“Queen Louise is doing an outstanding job of caring for these children. They provide services to children when they are in crisis and try to maintain a level of normalcy that makes them feel at home. I am humbled by their accomplishments,” stated the governor, while making the presentation during the event, which took place at the nonprofit’s facility. He made known that he has been an ardent supporter of the nonprofit for many years, and is a member of the Rag Tag group whose dues are paid directly to Queen Louise.

In his presentation of the funds, Mr. Mapp stated that the monies could be used as needed with one exception: He requested that Lutheran Social Services CEO, Junia John-Straker, set aside $400 for each child from the donation, allowing each child to acquire something personal for themselves or put it in savings. “I want each child to have something that they want or need, something that they select as their own,” Mr. Mapp said.

The governor also addressed the issue of children aging out of programs such as Queen Louise, with little support following them into adulthood. He said some have “fallen through the cracks,” and announced that the Virgin Islands is now a part of the Title 4 program, which, through the Department of Human Services, gives access to funding to help young people between the ages 18-26, with financial assistance as they transmission out of the home.

The territory’s leader thanked the donors for visiting the home and for offering such generous support. He also expressed his personal heartfelt gratitude to the staff for all they do to make Queen Louise a “home” for its residents.

Donor List:
The Honorable Kenneth Mapp
Governor Kenneth E. Mapp
Renaissance Jewelers
Casablanca, Inc.
Eden Jewelers
Artistic Jewelers
Alpha Jewelers
7Lucky Jewelers
Laline
Hurley Funeral Home
Citizens for Better Government
Petite Pump Room (Mike & Judy Watson)
viNGN-(Dr. Mark McGibbon, President & CEO)
West Indian Company (WICO) (Mr. Joseph Boschulte,

President & CEO V.I. Port Authority David Mapp, Acting Executive Director
V.I. Water and Power Authority Julio Rhymer, Executive Director

Marco Trucking Shawn Battiste
Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas Marco Ortlam, General Manager

Attorney Peter Hiebert Winston & Strawn LLP Winston & Strawn Foundation

Choice/Innovative Alvaro Pilar, CEO
International Capital and Management Company, Cornel Williams, President
Southern Trust Company, Inc
Warren Mosler
VI Lottery Juan Figueroa, Director

Limetree Bay Terminals ‐ (Mr. Darius Sweet, CEO)