Saint Lucian national Allison Calixte-Hawthorne, who was raised with her parents Felicita Calixte and Francis Leon, in Zenon, Soufriere, migrated to Canada to further her education, approximately twenty-eight (28) years ago.
Allison studied at Emery Collegiate, where she met her husband, a Jamaican national, Dovelin Hawthorne, who is currently a York Regional Police Detective Constable. Earlier this year, Dovelin launched an online challenge to collect soccer cleats, for young aspiring players in need.
Dovelin recorded himself juggling a soccer ball seventy-five (75) times and created two (2) online challenges; the first, asking persons to beat his record, and the second, asking persons to donate new or used cleats, for kids in his and his wife’s hometowns, of Hanover, Jamaica and Soufriere, Saint Lucia, respectively.
“Soccer is all about teamwork. I’m hoping that these kids can learn this lesson and take it forward in their lives.” Dovelin stated. “I cannot do all the good that the world needs; but the world needs all the good I can do.” he continued.
With the help of York Regional Police and the wider community, Dovelin and Allison were able to garner overwhelming support toward their ‘Cleats for Kids’ initiative. The proceeds earmarked for Saint Lucia, were delivered to the Soufriere Secondary and Anse La Raye Primary Schools.
Allison and her husband are hopeful that the young recipients in both Jamaica and St. Lucia, will make the most of this donation. She recalled one of her favorite quotes by Desmond Tutu “Do the little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
The Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto applauds Allison and her husband Dovelin, and all who gave so generously towards this initiative.
It is always heartwarming to see persons opening up their hearts and giving of their time and resources to the less fortunate and needy, especially in economically trying times; and like Allison and Dovelin so rightfully stated, the world, now more than ever, needs all the good that we can do!
Please view the following links, to read more on this initiative:
https://beta.ctvnews.ca/…/toronto/2020/6/30/1_5006336.html
https://twitter.com/YRP/status/1288190223038521345?s=09
