Teen Times “Put a Smile on the Face of a Child” Drive Breaks Record

The youth organization Teen Times celebrated a major success following its 4th annual Christmas Toy and School Supplies Drive, held on December 19 and 20 at Super City.

Over the two-day effort, Teen Times collected more than 800 toys and school supplies, setting a new record for the initiative and bringing holiday cheer to children and families in need.

Teen Times Coordinator Rochelayne Rommy-Richardson said the drive focuses on supporting families who may struggle during the holidays, especially when school supplies run low. The teen volunteers invited shoppers to donate items as they entered the store, with strong community support throughout the weekend.

Beyond helping families, the initiative also provides valuable life lessons for Teen Times members, teaching empathy, responsibility, and the importance of giving back.

All donated items will now be wrapped and presented to the Leaders for Change Foundation, which will distribute them to children across the community. Teen Times also expressed heartfelt thanks to Super City and the public for helping once again “put a smile on the face of a child.”

SEGUE 2 (Second pre-commercial):

“From a unanimous declaration in Parliament to locally developed green technology, climate action on Sint Maarten is happening at multiple levels. Our Featured Story is next.”

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FEATURE:

“From Commitment to Action: Is Sint Maarten Building a Climate-Resilient Future?”

Climate change is no longer an abstract conversation for small island nations like Sint Maarten. Rising temperatures, stronger storms, drought, flooding, and sea-level rise are already shaping daily life. In recent years, however, the island has moved beyond simply acknowledging the problem—toward intentional climate action, driven by both public policy and private innovation.

One of the clearest signals of that shift came when Parliament of Sint Maarten unanimously adopted a Climate Action Declaration. That moment was more than symbolic. It represented a rare point of national consensus: recognition that climate change poses an existential threat to the island’s people, economy, and environment—and that action is no longer optional.

The declaration committed Sint Maarten to aligning with international climate goals, strengthening climate adaptation, reducing emissions where possible, and integrating climate resilience into national planning. It also acknowledged the island’s unique vulnerability as a small, low-lying territory heavily dependent on tourism, imported energy, and fragile ecosystems.

But declarations alone do not lower temperatures or stabilize coastlines. What gives that parliamentary decision real weight is what followed—and what has been happening alongside it.

In the private sector, local innovators have been quietly translating climate concern into practical solutions. One notable example is the work of Claude Javois, whose GreenWorks Micro Systems Project represents a homegrown approach to sustainability.

The GreenWorks project focuses on small-scale, decentralized green energy systems—designed specifically for island conditions. Instead of relying solely on large, centralized infrastructure, these micro-systems emphasize efficiency, resilience, and adaptability. They offer solutions that can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower energy costs, and keep critical systems running even when centralized power grids fail.

This kind of innovation matters. Climate resilience on islands isn’t just about cutting emissions—it’s about survival during disruption. After hurricanes, droughts, or grid failures, decentralized energy and water solutions can mean the difference between prolonged hardship and rapid recovery.

Together, these public and private efforts show a broader pattern emerging on Sint Maarten. Climate action is no longer confined to environmental groups or international conferences. It is entering Parliament, influencing policy frameworks, and being built into tangible systems by local entrepreneurs who understand island realities firsthand.

What’s also important is timing. These initiatives did not appear overnight. They grew out of years of experience with storms like Irma, rising energy costs, water scarcity, and climate uncertainty. The lesson learned—sometimes painfully—is that waiting is far more expensive than preparing.

Sint Maarten’s climate journey is still unfolding. Challenges remain: financing, implementation, enforcement, and ensuring that climate solutions are accessible to ordinary households and small businesses. But the foundation is being laid—through consensus in governance and creativity in innovation.

Climate action, after all, is not one decision or one invention. It is a process. And for Sint Maarten, that process is increasingly defined by a simple but powerful idea: we cannot control the global climate—but we can control how ready we are for what comes next.

And in that readiness, the island is beginning to show what leadership—both public and private—can look like.

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