When faced with pain and tragedy you find yourself with two choices; either you allow it to get the best of you or you turn it into something positive and beautiful in order to touch and inspire others.
On August 21st, 2012 my father George Glynatsis passed away and before my family and I had an opportunity to begin our grieving process, we were forced to deal with our pain in a very distasteful and public manner.
However in efforts to keep my father’s memory and name alive, my mother and I decided to continue to follow in his footsteps. The day before my father passed away the organization my family and I founded “Project Smile Bahamas” hosted a back 2 school fundraiser for the Bahamas Children Emergency Hostel. Each child received school bags, books and supplies. My mother and father played a vital role with the assistance of my father’s best friend TC ( owner of John’s Shoe Store ) in making sure that every little boy and girl received a new pair of school shoes that day.
The last conversation I had with my daddy was about how proud he was of me and the charity work, and how excited he was to be a part of more fundraisers to come. What better way to honour my father than to continue his wishes. About 6 months ago my father was diagnosed with diabetes and throughout the months to come, I witnessed major changes in his life because of it.
My father was always very giving and generous. He would give a stranger the shirt off his back, expecting nothing in return. My mother and I decided to keep my father’s memory alive by asking person to make donations to the Bahamas Diabetic Association in lieu of flowers and wreaths. I truly believe that is something that my father would have wanted, he was never a materialistic person or moved by worldy things. Very family oriented and driven.
Our family organization “Project Smile Bahamas” has decided to take on the Bahamas Diabetic Association as one of our ongoing projects. We would like to assist them by any means possible, first by utilizing our marketing company eSounds to give the organization a face lift in order to properly brand the cause and reach out to persons. We will also be teaming up with other interested persons and organizations in hosting functions and events to raise much needed funds in order to get supplies for patients, promotional material and to assist in the daily operation of the establishment.
For any persons who want to be a sponsor or volunteer they can email us at projectsmilebahamas at gmail.com or reach out directly to the Bahamas Diabetes Association.
By Margaret Glynatsis
