CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the territory’s low-income residents; especially its seniors.
To lift their spirits and help them stay sanitized against COVID-19, the Virgin Islands Housing Authority on Friday distributed CARES packages to the 65 senior residents of the Lucinda Millin Home on St. Thomas.
Cases of water, face masks, Clorox, puzzles and games … and the star attraction: Red Cross emergency radios were all given out to the elderly residents by VIHA.
“For someone living on a disability check, these items are a big help,” Lucinda Millin Home resident Bernice Joseph said of the face masks, Clorox and other items distributed by VIHA.
The event was the first in a series of giveaways that VIHA will make in the coming weeks to at least 2,600 families in its public housing communities on St. Thomas and St. Croix thanks to a CARES Act coronavirus relief grant from HUD to help communities combat the virus and alleviate economic hardship.
St. Thomas Senator Marvin Blyden and VIHA Board Chair Noreen Michael joined VIHA staff distributing the gift sacks and showing residents how to use their radios.
