Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Aug 04, 2025

FSN receives $10K Christmas gift from Drakes Traders

FSN receives $10K Christmas gift from Drakes Traders

The Family Support Network (FSN) received a windfall this year when Drakes Traders Ltd doubled its annual seasonal donation.

Mrs Judith M. Charles, long-time volunteer at the FSN, was presented with a cheque for $10,000 by the Drakes Traders team at the hardware store in Fish Bay, Tortola on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.

‘Breathtaking donation!’

Mrs Charles, who has been a stalwart member of the FSN charitable organisation for more than two decades, was taken aback by the donated funds.

"This donation is above and beyond what I was expecting to receive today and your generous gift has taken my breath away," said Mrs Charles addressing Mr Christian Esser, Managing Director of Drakes Traders. "We have continuous pressing demands on our services that all cost money. These funds will enable us to secure the resources required to support our clients in the short term as well as to move forward with plans that are designed to help individuals get back up on their own two feet."

Mrs Charles explained that the purpose of the FSN has expanded over the years. While the original foundation of the charity was to help victims of domestic abuse, the economic fallout of hurricane Irma and the more recent COVID-19 restrictions continues to affect the ability of families to meet the minimum costs of living and lead a stable life.

FSN ‘under constant pressure’- Charles

"We are still getting requests for help from people who are struggling to recover from months of no income," said Mrs Charles.

"This often creates a dilemma between paying rent or feeding the family and we are under constant pressure to make sure our pantry is stocked with the basics. We also are seeing an increase in people being forced to return to abusive relationships simply because they do not have the independent means to set up on their own.

“We do what we can to provide a short term solution but also recognise the need to offer a medium to long term solution, including one-to-one counselling with professionals who guide individuals to understanding their circumstances and to rebuilding their self-confidence so they can start a sustainable new life away from their abuser."

Drakes Traders ‘respects’ work of FSN

Drakes Traders, which has been serving the community for over three decades, has supported the efforts of the FSN for many years.

"As a family business, we are firm believers in taking care of our fellow human beings and have always respected the work that the FSN does for the people that face domestic crises in our community," said Mr Esser during a conversation with Mrs Charles.

"The recent increase in the cost of living is hitting hard and it seems inevitable that the impact on our society is going to be higher levels of stress, worry and possible deterioration of domestic situations. The ethos of Drakes Traders is to do what we are able to do for the people who have no access to an alternative support system. We recognise the important work that the FSN does in bridging the gap and will continue to champion and support its efforts in bringing relief to those that are in desperate need for it."

FSN, which serves clients in Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke and Anegada, provides mediation and advocacy support as well as assistance with food staples, emergency temporary shelter and protection from domestic violence and abuse. Beneficiaries and donors can respectively register and collect or drop off items Mondays through Fridays at the FSN’s office on Chalwell Street, Road Town with persons asked to contact the office in advance on (284) 542 2085 to ensure the privacy of its clients. The emergency telephone number is (284) 499 0999.

FSN, which serves clients in Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke and Anegada. provides mediation and advocacy support as well as assistance with food staples, emergency temporary shelter and protection from domestic violence and abuse.

: FSN, which serves clients in Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke and Anegada. provides mediation and advocacy support as well as assistance with food staples, emergency temporary shelter and protection from domestic violence and abuse.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
OpenAI’s Bold Bet: Teaching AI to Think, Not Just Chat
Tesla Seeks Shareholder Approval for $29 Billion Compensation Package for Elon Musk
Nvidia is cutting prices on its RTX 50-series graphics cards after sales slowed and inventories piled up
Ghislaine Maxwell Transferred to Minimum-Security Prison Amid Ongoing DOJ Discussions
U.S. Tariffs Surge to Highest Levels in Nearly a Century Under Second Trump Term
Matt Taibbi Slams Media for Role in Russiagate Narrative
Pilots Call for Mental Health Support Without Stigma
All Five Trapped Miners Found Dead After El Teniente Mine Collapse
Ong Beng Seng Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case Linked to Former Singapore Transport Minister
BP’s Largest Oil and Gas Find in 25 Years Uncovered Offshore Brazil
Italy Fines Shein One Million Euros for Misleading Sustainability Claims
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
Declassified Annex Links Soros‑Affiliated Officials and Clinton Campaign to ‘Russiagate’ Narrative
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
×