Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago (SOTT) has expressed regret at the passing of long-time volunteer, Grace Ruiz, and praised her work with the local chapter.
A release from Special Olympics National Director Ferdinand Bibby notes that Grace served the athletes of SOTT for over 30 years before passing after a brief bout of illness. She started on the Housing Committee and would ensure that the athletes were comfortable and the dormitory cleaned at the expense of her seeing any activity, in the days when the National Games were residential, the release continued.
Grace last served as the Chairperson of the Volunteers Committee, which ensured that there were enough trained and dedicated personnel available to serve the needs of the athletes at Games. Although ill, she would have been involved in early preparations for the 2017 SOTT National Games. The Games are scheduled for Saturday, April 1 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Jean Pierre Complex, Woodbrook Youth Facility, Police Mounted Branch and Diego Martin Swimming Pool.
Bibby described Grace Ruiz as an example of Mother Theresa’s quote: “Love cannot remain by itself — it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service.”