The Insiders' Guide to St. Barths: The Kickoff

Dear Friends:

As many of you know, there has been discussion in this site about forming an organization that could raise monies for worthy causes on St. Barth. After much research into the subject, including a lot of on-island footwork by Tim, our plans have become more formal and are as follows:

An organization called Friends Of SBH has been formed with the initial board members consisting of Kara, Tim, JEK, KevinS and Island Visitor. The mission of this organization is to collect and distribute monies to worthy causes on St. Barth which will benefit the residents of our beloved island. There will be no handling fees or any other funds taken from the donations and 100% of what is contributed will be sent to the people of St. Barth.

After many discussion with different people on the island, it has been determined that there a re particular needs that we can help meet with the St. Barth Fire and Rescue Service. As identified by the Fire Chief, these include the following:

2 Arm Digital Pulse and Blood Pressure Instruments

1 Wrist Digital Pulse and Blood Pressure Instrument

1 Advanced CPR Training Mannequin

2 Resuscitators with Oxygen Supplies

1 Instrument to Measure Patient Oxygen Levels and Other Functions

1 Automatic External Defibrillator

Our goal will therefore be to raise at least $7,000 and forward those monies to the Fire Chief who will be able to use these donations to help meet these goals. We have previously received individual pledges ranging from $200 up to $1000, but any amount will be gratefully accepted.

Participation in these donations is entirely voluntary and in no way is a requirement to continue as a member in this website. As such, no one should feel compelled to make any donation if they do not choose to do so. For some, the idea of sending additional money to a vacation site may not make sense. For others of us, it is a way to give back to the people of St. Barth, many of whom have become our personal friends. Even with great beaches, wonderful restaurants, fantastic villas and hotels, the greatest attraction for many of us is ultimately the people of the island who make the place so magical in the first place. And it is in appreciation of these friends that this organization is being formed.

For those who would like to donate, please send a private message to one of the board members listed above detailing your pledge. You will receive a confirmation and the address of our Board Member JEK, as well as instructions for how to fill out your check. All checks will be made out to the local organization in St. Barth but collected stateside by JEK (saving each contributor on postage) and forwarded together so that a proper and accurate total can be tallied. The amount of your donation will be not be posted or otherwise disclosed.

After much research, it was determined that the cost of setting up a tax-favored structure would exceed likely collections and therefore these contributions will not have any tax-favored status. That is, we will not be able to deduct our contributions from our taxes as charitable contributions. So this is truly a gift of love, friendship and appreciation to those people of this most magical island who have captured our hearts and souls. We would like to have all checks by July 1, 2006 if this is possible, although we would certainly accept additional checks after that date.

As you contemplate this proposal, remember that uniqueness of St. Barth and how, perhaps more than any other location in the world, we are guests of the people who live there, work there and create the magic. Indeed, this is an opportunity for each of us who choose to do so to help our friends in a tangible way. Thank you for your attention in this. Please feel free to discuss this subject in this thread.

Kara, Tim, JEK, KevinS and Island Visitor