Behind every great man is a great woman, or so the saying goes. An updated version of the old adage might say “beside,” rather than behind, and that sentiment would certainly apply to Sands CEO Edward Tracy’s wife, Janet Tracy – “a strong, kind-hearted woman with a love for life, animals and the community,” say those who know her best.
Originally moving from the United States to join her husband in Macau in October 2010, during the four years she has lived in the city, Janet has lent her support to various charities and associations in the local community by helping to promote animal rights and support underprivileged groups including the disabled and the elderly.
Back in February 2011, Mrs Tracy found out from her friends that ANIMA, the local charity that rescues pets and shelters abandoned animals, was looking for donations, dog walkers and volunteers. When she showed up at ANIMA to help and saw a once abandoned dog named Shu Mai, it was love at first sight. And after Janet saw Shu Mai again during an organized dog walk to Coloane Hill, soon after, she and Mr Tracy made the decision to adopt the pup.
Mrs. Tracy attends the dog walk to Coloane Hill in 2011 with Shu Mai
For an organization like ANIMA, receiving hands-on assistance from someone like Mrs Tracy is critical. She often visits the charity, and regularly donates dog food and supplies. Several times she has asked the organization to help animals in the street and, through her own initiative, she’s also spearheaded events, as well as helping to transform ANIMA’s landscaping and building into a garden and ‘nature park’ for visitors and pets alike.
Albano Martins, ANIMA’s President, commented, “Janet is not only a friend of ANIMA – she is part of our big family. She adopted her beloved dog Shu Mai from ANIMA and when it comes to animals, she has always been deeply committed to ‘helping us help them.’”
Besides her love of animals, Mrs Tracy has also shown care and concern for society’s less fortunate through engaging in community service. Although initially not very familiar with Macau, she began joining the activities of the Sands China Care Ambassador program as a way to get involved in the local community. Every year, she takes part in the annual SCCA tradition of offering spring cleaning and gift packs for Macau’s live-alone elderly.
Janet has also shown her care and concern for the mentally handicapped. After reading about the Macau Down Syndrome Association in the paper, she took the initiative to meet with them to understand their needs. She’s likewise been a supporter of activities organized by the Fuhong Society of Macau, a non-profit organization providing occupational skills development, training and employment services to the mild to moderately mentally handicapped.
Mrs. Tracy participates in a DIY Green Soap workshop with a group of Fuhong Society of Macau members
“We are very grateful for having met Mrs Tracy and for her work with Fuhong”, Maria de Fátima Salvador dos Santos Ferreira, Fuhong’s President, acknowledged. “She has given her time and worked with us on many occasions… Fuhong really benefits when people with such positive attitudes and with a sense of care volunteer with us.”
Janet has similarly worked with the Rotary Club of Macau since 2012, and has spent much time sharing ideas on how to extend more support to the needy. The organization appointed her as Chairlady of its Service Projects Committee in 2014. According to Kevin Lei, the Rotary Club of Macau President, “She has been very active and adapted easily to the true spirit of Rotary – Service Above Self.” He moreover praised Mrs Tracy’s leadership and creativity in helping launch a new fundraising campaign benefiting the Concordia School for Special Education, the Macau Autism Association, Macau Down Syndrome Association and Rotary’s Guangxi Education Project.
All communities need people who are willing to give their time and energy to support those in need. Mrs Tracy is one of those people. As she prepares to leave Macau to return to the United States, her new community will be lucky to have her. VM
Mr. and Mrs. Tracy participate in the annual Sands China Care Ambassadors tradition of doing cleaning for the elderly and (R)Mrs. Tracy emcees the Rotary Club of Macau’s 66th Annual Ball “The Masquerade”
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