By Roland Harmon

The Minnesota Liberian Old Timers Sports Association, which is also known as Ahblawo, over the holiday weekend undertook a massive renovation and refurbishing project of the offices of the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM) in Brooklyn Park.

The renovation project includes the entire replacement of the rugs, ceiling and painting of the offices and conference room. According to the President of the Minnesota Liberian Old Timers Sports Association, Mr. Patrick Chea it was necessary to give a face lift to the OLM office as a gift to the community at this time when people everywhere are sharing gifts.

Mr. Chea puts the cost of the project at $2,000 taking into consideration the material, labor cost, and refreshment provided for the participants. He said funds for the project were raised by officers and members of his organization. He told our reporter that this is a way of enhancing relationship between his organization and the OLM.

When our reporters visited the offices of the OLM, the president, Mr. Chea and the officers and members were seen actively involved in various aspects of manual and professional labor to get the renovation project fully executed. He said that it was the Old Timers’ way of giving back to the community and an opportunity to share.

Mr. Chea is therefore calling upon members of the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM) to not give up on the organization, but to give and volunteer in whatever way necessary. He said the OLM belongs to all Liberians and it the obligation of all Liberian members and friends of the OLM to ensure that it responsive to the need of the community.

Mr. Paul Wilson, the Vice President of the organization earlier told our reporter that the project became necessary when officers of his organization visited the OLM office for an event and found the rugs and other areas of the office were in deplorable consideration. He said Ahblawo has undertaken similar projects for the cities of Crystal and Brooklyn Park and it was an honor to carry out the renovation for the OLM.

The Minnesota Liberian Old Timers Sports Association is a non-for-profit organization founded in the mid 1990s. It is considered as one of the most organized Old Timers Clubs in the Liberian Diaspora. Its nickname, "Ahblawo," comes from the Kru Language in Liberia which means "we used to play." The new corps of officers of the Minnesota Liberian Old Timers Sports Association are Patrick Chea, President; Paul Wilson, Vice President, Jerome Diabe, Secretary and William Mah, Treasurer.

The spouses of the members prepared food and there were drinks of all kinds available for those carrying out the project. It was both a busy day as well as a fun time for all the members implementing the project.

For his part, the Chairman of the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM), Mr. Zubah G. Kpanaku said he was very grateful to the Minnesota Liberian Old Timers Sports Association or Ahblawo for the very kind gesture rendered the community. He expressed thanks and appreciations to the Minnesota Liberian Old Timers Sports Association on behalf of the officers and members of the Board of Directors and community. He called upon other organizations and members which have the capacity to render similar services to the OLM. He reiterated that his administration as Chairman of the OLM Board of Directors will make a difference.

Mr. Kpanaku said he is committed to making the OLM responsive to the needs of the community as well as ensuring that there is reconciliation between and amongst the people of the community. He pointed out that there is a new day in the OLM and the community will come to appreciate the OLM under his chairmanship of the Board.

Mr. Zubah Gayflor Kpanaku, Jr was recently re-elected to the OLM board and also elected chairman of the Board of Director. Mr. Kpanaku is Treasurer of the MN Chapter of Unity Party USA and Chemistry & Chemical Technology Instructor at the Saint Paul College in Saint Paul, Minnesota.