Last Updated on May 1, 2023, 8:09 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Concerned Citizens Movement Ambassador of Constituency 5, St Thomas Parish is hosting the St. Thomas Parish Youth Excellence Award 2023. Under these awards, she is honoring various people of her constituency for their contribution to the society in the various fields. She recently shared a detailed profile of Chris Clarke. He is receiving an award for his volunteerism in the St. Thomas Parish Youth Excellence Award 2023
On the 11th of March,1999, a beautiful Thursday night. Judith Clarke and Anthony Cannioner would welcome twins, one girl and one boy. The latter, who they would affectionately name Chris Clarke. Chris has a love for cooking, reading and debating. Chris is a very polite, helpful and respectable individual.
Chris Clarke started volunteering at ten years old. He assisted the elderly in his neighbourhood on weekdays after school, Saturdays and almost every day while he was on vacation from school. He would help anywhere he could, whether by holding the door open, helping them cross the street, or just taking the shopping bags to their destination.
Chris is very passionate about helping others. He volunteered to participate in various school activities such as; the first ever Prince and Princess Show, Mr & Mrs Talented Youth Pageant in 2010 and many other activities. His contributions to volunteering increased greatly when he was introduced to St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society while still a Grade six student of the Charlestown Primary School.
He became one of the youngest volunteers in the organization. Chris’s goal was to be able to help more people while working alongside like-minded individuals. Chris Clarke was also a member of the student body council, where he would begin to hone his leadership skills and ability to encourage others to volunteer. While in high school, he continued to volunteer and expand his voluntary contribution by becoming First Aid and CPR certified. This allowed him to better assist at school sports meets and other activities.
Chris credits his grandmother as his inspiration for being a volunteer. He observed that she was always helping and taking care of everyone. She would always say, “What is a little food to feed somebody? It is not like it is taking anything away from you”. These lessons from his grandmother ignited the flame of volunteerism, which saw Chris volunteering wherever, whenever, and however, he could.
Most of Chris Clarke’s voluntary work has been with the St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society. Particularly the Nevis Branch. The Red Cross is a non-profit organization that has greatly impacted the federation and the wider world. During his early years as a Red Cross volunteer while attending the Charlestown Secondary School, Chris volunteered at various track meets hosted by schools around the island.
Some of his many tasks include assisting the first aid team, preparing and organizing the supplies, assisting with scheduling volunteers to attend the various meets, and ensuring that all essential items were accounted for.
Chris Clarke is currently the Branch Secretary for the Nevis Branch of St.Kitts and Nevis Red Cross as well as the Youth Director for St.Kitts & Nevis Red Cross Society, where he is the voice for the youth volunteers on the National Board and represents the youth of St.Kitts and Nevis locally, regionally and internationally. He hopes to show his fellow youth volunteers that they, too, can contribute to the development and longevity of the Red Cross.
Chris Clarke has branched off and volunteered with several other organizations. He has recently been an in-water volunteer with the Swim To Win Program and is now a level-one instructor. He has also volunteered with the Nevis Youth Career Expo, SKNMoves Nevis Chapter, Department of Youth, Concerned Citizen Movement Youth Arm, Church of God of Prophecy Youth Group and other church groups.
Chris is an employee at the Nevis Post Office, who is known to always be willing to assist and is very helpful when called upon outside of his regular duties. He is usually asked to assist whenever the Post Office hosts activities, sometimes requiring him to work after hours or on weekends.
Volunteering and giving back to his community have been edged into his DNA. Chris Clarke believes being a volunteer will help him become the best version of himself. He hopes to assist in creating environments where young people can feel welcome, safe and have the ability to volunteer in as many ways as possible.
He is passionate about giving young people a voice in matters that arise in their respective communities. Chris is very humble, works well with others, and has the potential to be a great youth leader. Whenever he is allowed to lead an event, he does a great job ensuring that our beneficiaries and fellow volunteers are cared for. Chris Clarke is committed to continuing his voluntary service for as long as God allows him to.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
