“It was excitement throughout the day. I enjoyed myself thoroughly. It was so heart warming to renew friendships with fellow members whom I haven't seen since last year's Rally.”

This comment reflected the sentiments of the over eight hundred persons who attended the National Rally/Sports and Family Day organized by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which took place on Sunday 17 July at Couva Junior Secondary School .

The Rally and Family Day is one of the highlights on the calendar of events of the Society. It is an occasion when members, staff and residents of the fifteen institutions, benefactors and the poor whom they serve spend the day in a spirit of fellowship, fun and friendly competition as they participate in sporting events and entertainment.

The day got underway with a Eucharistic service led by members of the Couva Parish. This was followed by a colourful and dynamic parade of fifteen teams drawn from conferences and institutions across the country.

Flags heralded persons of all age groups, who with style and pomp marched past Br. Rudolph Boneo, a Vice-President of the Society, Sr. Jane Ragoo, President of the Central Particular Council of the Society and Sr. Angelique Taylor, Youth Team Coordinator of the Society.

SVP youths at family day

The judges selected St. Paul 's Conference of Fyzabad as the winner amongst the parading conferences and the Centre for Socially Displaced Persons earned fist place amongst the institutions. Fun events after the lunch period included Bouncy Castle , an All Fours knockout competition, ballroom dancing and singing contests.

Odette Valentine and Angela Gonzales, the team from Incarnation Conference, Maloney knocked out Dexter Duncan and Pamela Ramchandar of Nazareth House to emerge as All Fours champions, and Selwyn Coutain and Josephine Best danced their way past the other contestants to become winners of the Ballroom Contest.

The Sports events like egg and spoon, Chubby-drinking, potato sack and needle and thread races were keenly contested and generated a lot of excitement.

At 3.30 p.m. results of the cultural competition brought to a close a refreshing and fun-filled Society of St. Vincent de Paul Family Day in Couva. Many people commented on the high percentage of youths at the Rally and this augurs well for the future of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Trinidad and Tobago .