Dear Colleagues and Friends:

It has been said that thoughts become things. Let's choose some good thoughts to help make this organization an even better one.

Sometimes, we have to take risks. However, risks must be taken because the greater hazard in life is to risk nothing. For example,
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk expressing your true self.
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.

The Caribbean and Floridian Association (CAFA) will not procrastinate. We will take the risks, however small or great they may be. We will do this to achieve whatever we decide to undertake.

Ten years is along time by any measure. From a seed planted by a handful of American transplanted from the Caribbean, a vibrant group has blossomed ... a group that is dedicated to the enhancement of our community through educational, cultural and civic involvement.

The CAFA scholarship fund continues to provide annual scholarship and achievement awards to young people. Some of our scholarship recipients are currently in college, some have already graduated, and others are pursuing post-graduate studies. Moving our educational endeavors further afield, CAFA joined with the Juvenile Justice Department to administer a successful program of after-school tutoring for at-risk young students.

Our retired members are actively involved in volunteer opportunities in Osceola and Orange counties. Over the years, our members have become mobilized to provide assistance wherever there is a need in the community after a hurricane, or tornado, or presence felt within CAFA and the community, by arranging educational presentations at the monthly meetings, sponsoring a health fair, and assisting other organizations with their health education programs.

This is the year in which a Census is being conducted in the USA. This is an important event that coincides with an important milestone for our organization. CAFA members are already doing our part in encouraging every person to be counted in Census 2000.

The past decade was one of steady growth for CAFA. We have had lean times and we have had exciting times. In 1998, we mourned the lost of one of our Presidents, Kenneth Rahming, and recently we mourned the loss of a friend and supporter, Robert Guevara, Osceola County Commissioner.

The stage is set for greater achievements by this organization. Our goal is nothing less than to remain dedicated to sharing our skills, experience and resources, to make our community the greatest place to live. We intend to take some risks, because we believe that the greater hazard is to risk nothing.

Thank you for believing in CAFA and supporting our vision.

Casmore A. Shaw
President

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