The lively event was part of the 10-year anniversary celebrations of the
community center located on the Long Wall road. The talent showdown drew an audience
ranging from seniors, young adults, to children. This event was one of the C.O.M.E Center’s list
of fundraising activities which will be held in upcoming months, to assist in financing its many
community outreach initiatives.
The night featured performances in three categories: dance, modeling and signing. The
mistress of ceremonies, Ms. Dorothy ‘Rosa’ Richardson, provided roaring laughter to the
audience with her comedic stand up and skits. Among the participants in the modelling category
were Vera Gumbs, Lena Arrindell, Iris Philips and Joan Scotland. The ladies wowed the crowd
with their casual and formal wear, and exquisite gala gowns provided by New Birth Clothing
Store owned by Hyacinth Prince. After much deliberation, Ms. Iris Phillips was crowned the
winner of the modeling category.
In the singing category, there was a tight count among Elsa Thomas, Earlene Groeneveldt, and
Jessie Burton, who enamored the crowd with popular gospel songs and 50s classics. Winning
the awe of the crowd and judges was Jessie Burton who shared her testimony of recently
surviving a stroke. Special highlights of the evening were a liturgical dance performed by
Idamise Schoop, followed by Vera Gumbs who spiced the crowd with her Tumba recital and
cultural wear.
President and founder of the C.O.M.E Center, Marva Sam-Arrindell was elated with the turn out
and support for the island’s seniors and encouraged everyone to pledge and support the
Center’s upcoming events and ongoing programs. Along with her husband and cofounder,
Apostle Leyland Sam, they presented awards to the two Senior Citizens in Action coordinators
who with much dedication and commitment maintained the program during the 10 years. They
thanked Mrs. Sandra Mercelina, the coordinator from 2012 to 2016, and Ms. Marcia Arrindell,
who took over the role from 2016 to present, as well as Patricia Flanders, the coordinator of
Home Away from Home, another foundation catering to the needs of our elderly citizens.
Funds raised for the C.O.M.E Center will go towards sustaining its senior’s program, literacy and
numeracy programs, as well as the recently launched H.O.P.E community. C.O.M.E. Center
takes this opportunity to thank all of its donors who over the years made it possible to achieve
its goals of assisting in meeting the needs of the most vulnerable members in the community.
Among these are: The St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF), Samenwerkendefondsen,
American University of the Caribbean (AUC), Cost-U-Less, the Netherlands Red Cross, SXM
DOET, and other organizations such as K1-Brittania and Freegan Foundation. Finally, we want
to thank our dedicated staff and volunteers who provide the best services to our clients.
For those who wish to assist and or partner with the C.O.M.E Center, you can email us at
comecenter2012@gmail.com or contact us at 520-7267.
