Schools (I believe) are in desperate need of items but I have no idea how you could donate things to them - maybe call the school direct and see if you could send a "care package" maybe? Anyway, another thing to do is to donate to the Animal Care Center of STJ - it is a no kill shelter and is always in need of help. Follow the link to read their "list of needs" and also to read about all of the good work they do.

http://www.stjohnanimalcarecenter.com/help.php

Thanks in advance, what a great thing to want to do. (Oh, they also have a program where you can adopt a pet and take it home with you - kitties and puppies - they have all the info on transporting a pet back "home")

Pia

Pia,
Students are my biggest charity. But I will research this more and hopefully have a care package sent before we even arrive. One of our concerns is where do H.S. students go for further education? What is the closests university/college? Are donations to scholarships maybe more helpful? We truely just want to help.

Here's an idea that you might want to check out with the Nat'l Park Service to see if it would be allowed:

It might be nice to take a small pair of trimmers (like you would trim roses with) and while hiking, cut some of the stuff that's overgrowing the trails. I thought about it when we were on STJ in May. I didn't because I didn't know if I could and if Nat'l Park pays individuals to maintain the trails, I didn't want to take away from their income.

With all of the rain, the trails were horribly overgrown, especially the less traveled trails. STJ has small wasps that build on the underside of leaves that will attack you if you bump up against "their" leaf.

Just an idea.

Have a great trip!

Liz

There is the University of the Virgin Islands on STT - you actually can see it on the hillside next to the airport when you land. I would contact the schools directly and see what is the best way to donate. Just remember they are "out for the summer" 🙂

Pia

Pia,
We're not coming down until next spring. I'll contact them this fall.

From viewing this board...it seems that most people start planning a year in advance. Glad to know I'm not alone!

E.L.

Pia, the STJ shelter is no kill?! For real?! That is so awesome! I didn't think it would be possible to have a no kill shelter in the islands.

Yes, I think either helping with the STT or STJ shelters would be a great idea! I'm huge into animal rescue and transport here in TX (just about every weekend I'm doing something with rescue....I also have a foster dog right now, in addition to my two dogs), so I'd love to hear more about helping out the shelters there. 🙂

Don't necessarily want to bring a pet home, but will gladly donate $. Looks like the website is a great place to start. I love the no kill shelter thing also.

The website for the Humane Society of St Thomas is www.hsstt.com. The new state-of-the-art Animal Care Campus is under construction and is expected to be operational later this year/ early next year. It's an awesome project and continued funding is very much needed!

STT Resident, that's great!

STT Res,
What is the difference between the ST Animal Care Center as Pia mentioned and this new Animal Care Campus? IF they are two differnt entities, are the both "no kill"?
Thanks,
E.L.

Unfortunatley the STT shelter is not a "no kill" only the STJ facility is 🙁

Pia

As always you are most helpful.

It would be an incredible feat if the Humane Society of STT shelter could be a "no kill" facility but the logistics of it being so are far beyond its present capability given the huge number of cats and dogs which pass through its portals annually. One of the biggest moves towards that end came a few years ago when early-age spay/neuter was finally instituted.

Prior to that, when young animals were adopted, the new owners were required to have their new pet fixed when it reached 5-6 months of age. However, the system didn't always work to optimum as it was hard to keep track and follow through for many reasons. Now not one adopted animal leaves the Shelter without first being spayed or neutered and this, along with continuing education programmes ensures an eventual downcurve in the island animal population.

The HS has also recently started a program with some local hotels and resorts, setting up feeding stations for on-property cats and then spaying and neutering them so they can live a good life on property without breeding.

I urge all those interested to go to the website (www.hsstt,com.) Follow the progress of the new campus and read about future goals. Seven years of planning has gone into finally making this dream a reality and we all very much look forward to the day when this enormous undertaking will result in STT joining the ranks of the many jurisdictions throughout the US which have a "no-kill" policy. Cheers!

STT Res,
Great information and I'll be checking out the website you provided. Perhaps a donation to both would help keep the process going.

E.L.

Eagle. Don't know why you would think promo and I would go weird on you. Can speak for him, weird as he might be, that he is pretty civic minded. There are countless ways to help. My Rotary Club in St John does have a scholarship fund that is always in need of support. Our biggest fundraiser is the Flavors of St John we put on every November. We also support the Kids in the Sea program that helps kids learn how to sail. KATS is a program that was founded by a St Thomas Rotary Club after a group of 4 Boy Scouts drowned off Lovango many years ago. There are other youth based programs that we support as well ie St John Pan Dragons. There is also a scholarship for young Jevon JJ Alfred, age seven, who was run over by a truck by the corner near Marketplace. Rotary St John started painting crosswalks to try and help prevent this occuring again.We do also support the Animal Care Center as well.
You are welcome to come to one of our meetings when visiting and chat with us. I think the future of these isalnds is in the hands of the youth.

RL

Ron,
Just jokin' with you about going wierd! I've been following some of your funnies. 🙂

You are just the contact I was looking for. Do you have an address for your Rotary Club on STJ? Or a website?

We agree that the future is in the hands of the youth!

Thanks!

But of course!!
http://www.clubrunner.ca/CPrg/home/homeF.asp?cid=1577

RL

Yes, I guess we do go overboard sometimes!(me and promo) we are twin brothers 20 years apart!
Ronnie

Ron,
Thanks so much....we'll definitely be in contact!

....oh and who is the younger twin? I've seen pix of promo!

E.L.

Me, of course, he's collecting SS and on medicare! LOL. I know I am nto hear about this. Hopefully he is too busy packing for his upcoming trek here!
RL