City Council organises relief for fire victims

One month after five families were left homeless by the Prince Street fire, the Belize City Council continues to extend a helping hand to the victims. Today, in a short ceremony, a three piece sofa set, donated by Adventura Furniture of Corozal, was given to one of the families. To decide which family would receive the gift, Deputy Mayor Anthony Michael says they decided to hold a draw. So this afternoon, all five families were invited to City Hall where their names were placed in a box and an employee was asked to pick one of the papers. The lucky winner chosen was Gilroy “Press” Cadogan. But the Cadogan family had a surprise of their own when Marilyn Cadogan announced that as much as she is grateful for the gift she cannot keep it.

Marilyn Cadogan, Winner, 3pc Piece Sofa Set
“ Cause right now it’s still stressful but we tried our best and I already have a chair and I am thinking about donating this to one of the families who don’t have one, cause mine didn’t get burned. So, I have to think about one to give this to now, so…”

Jacqueline Godwin
“This is definite; you have made up your mind that you’re going to donate this sofa set to one of the families who are in need of one?”

Marilyn Cadogan
“Yes, cause I have one. Mines didn’t get burned—thank God—I was the only one who saved some stuff so I have to do a draw I guess, to donate it again but that’s what I wanna do and as I said, it’s a slow process but we’re getting there.”

Anthony Michael – Deputy Mayor
“When you have five families being affected the same time in a major fire like that, we thank God that there were no loss of life. And the City Council came together and said, you know what, we need to figure a way out to help these victims, and we approached the different businesses, and I must say, they were very willing and very helpful in assisting the fire victims.”