LR
Travel Report
Actress Annie Potts Turns Author Supporting Anguilla’s Special Needs Children
24 LuxuryReportMagazine.com
© James Hayman
When I was first invited to the 4th annual Anguilla Literary Festival I was excited to meet some local talent and some big names in publishing as well, like O Magazine’s books editor, Writers Digest’s editor, and bestselling authors like “Zane”, to name a few. And the festival was awesome in every way – intimate, exciting and informative, and in such an idyllic location. But I’d not expected to stumble upon a story so touching and with such an important purpose while there. Nor did I expect to meet extraordinary actress Annie Potts and her award-winning husband Jim Hayman as part of it. They were so amazingly sweet, and their connection to Anguilla runs very deep. Having holidayed there for 15 years, they are truly now what islanders call “belongers” – an affectionate word for ex-pats and frequent visitors who really care about the community. Annie loves to swim at Meads Bay, and one day a boy with special needs named Kemarley wanted to borrow her blue swimming goggles. That was the beginning of what would become a beautiful friendship, and one that would inspire Annie to write a book about him. It also led her to join forces with another expat belonger (become Anguillan angel) Renuka Harrigan, who has a special needs daughter of her own. She has almost single-handedly created a non-profit foundation that funds a loving and successful school for children called the Blossom Centre, a place dedicated to all of Anguilla’s special needs children.
Kemarley and actress Annie Potts
She says, “The book really helps draw people to our cause, and we are so grateful to Annie and Jim and all the other visitors and locals and businesses that have really rallied to help. At first there was little, and now, every day, it gets better for our children here and helps them to really blossom.” You can help, too. Donations can be made at the Arijah Children's Foundation website, and you can also buy Annie’s beautiful book Kemarley of Anguilla on Amazon. All proceeds go the cause. Or if you are lucky enough to be on Anguilla, it’s also available island-wide. Visit: arijahcf.org. SUSAN CAMPBELL Twitter: @suectravel