May's Star of the Month, Barbara Reneau
Born in Belize City, Barbara Reneau grew up in the Belizean community, where the seeds of philanthropy and community service were nurtured early by her membership at the age of 9 in the British Honduras Red Cross under the mentoring of her mother, who was an officer and cadet troop leader in the Red Cross.
In Miami, her home for over thirty-five years, Ms. Reneau launched The Bob Reneau Scholarship Fund. Petitions from several schools and parents in Belize for assistance with tuitions and other needs inspired her to establish a permanent scholarship foundation in her father's name. The Bob Reneau Scholarship Fund provides students in Belize with monetary aid to cover school expenses that their families cannot afford (textbooks, tuition, graduation fee's, shoes, etc,). Ms. Reneau raises money for this Scholarship through donations, percentage of food sales, and other fundraising events. Ms. Reneau requires the students to write a letter indicating why they need the scholarship and proceeds to visit the parents of the student and their teacher in Belize. Once awarded the Scholarship, the students must update Ms. Reneau quarterly with their school performance. If the student continuously proves academic success, the Scholarship will continue to be awarded to them until they graduate. However, if their academic performance suffers, the scholarship will be terminated. After three years of establishment, The Bob Reneau Scholarship Fund has awarded support to seven students at Edward P. Yorke High School, Wesley College, and St. John's College.
"I know what it's like to struggle. As long as these kids prove to me that they are dedicated and want to learn,I will do anything in my power to help them. The good deeds comes back to you," said Ms. Reneau.
President of Concerned Belizeans in Florida, Inc., Ms. Reneau reaches out to the Belizean community. Every summer, Ms. Reneau collects and sends approximately 100 new school bags full of school supplies to children in Belize. In November, Ms. Reneau conducts a toy drive and sends them to the Red Cross in Belize. In 2013, The Belize Red Cross Society considered Ms. Reneau a long standing and outstanding volunteer. "Her selfless efforts to put a smile and bring Christmas cheer each year to 250 children for the past 18 plus years are invaluable and greatly appreciated."
With all this, Ms. Reneau still finds the time to be a loving mother to five children and a doting granny to several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, while also remaining active as a central force in the social and cultural life of Belizeans in Miami.
For more information on how you can help or donate,
please contact Barbara Reneau at
beautycaribe@gmail.com or (786) 877-9554.
