BACONJ Presents Ventilators to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados

Officers of the Plainfield, New Jersey based non-profit, the Barbados American Charitable Organization of New Jersey (BACONJ) will present four ventilator machines to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados West Indies today.  The equipment will serve as life sustaining breathing apparatus for the smallest of the hospitals patients in the neonatal intensive care unit.  Funds to make this sizable donation of $20,000 US dollars possible was made by the organizations fundraising arm after hearing a report from the hospitals staff of the need for such life saving equipment.  “We are so proud of the work we do to help those less fortunate than us”, says BACONJ President Miguel Edghill, “Although we are here in the US and have access to this type of equipment at local hospitals, we do not take for granted the easy access we have to quality healthcare, we understand that the same does not apply for our fellow countrymen in Barbados, and are pleased to be able to take action and assist in this way.”

BACONJ began in September 1979, with a small group of concerned individuals led by founder and 1st President Kenneth Thorze.  At the time, they identified a need at the Thelma Vaughan Memorial Home for handicapped children in Barbados and acted on a desire to do something about it.  The first funds were raised by holding pot–luck dinners and back yard barbecues.  The organization grew quickly as word traveled about the groups’ goals.  Since its inception, BACONJ has demonstrated that it is an organization committed not only to Barbadians, but to humanity in general.  Over the years this organization has made donations to a variety of individuals and institutions.  The beneficiaries were not limited to Barbados but also included other Caribbean countries, the United States of America and Africa.  Its most notable contribution was a dialysis machine and several wheelchairs to the QEH in the 1980’s.

For more information on becoming a member or making a contribution to support other charitable efforts being pursued by BACONJ, call (908) 754-3313 or send correspondence to Barbados American Charitable Organization of New Jersey; 2560 US Highway 22 East #157; Scotch Plains, NJ 07076-1529