Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited donated $60,530 to the Bahamas Red Cross Society to assist in the restoration of the southern Bahamian islands adversely affected by Hurricane Joaquin in October. The donation comes after the bank created a hurricane relief fund under the banner "Operation Restore Hope", where persons in the community could donate to the cause. Fidelity matched the contributions made to the account.

Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador took the brunt of the Category 4 storm being hammered with winds in excess of 130 miles per hour. Massive flooding and storm surges wiped out entire communities, leaving thousands of residents displaced. The need for assistance continues to be immense, even with relief coming from within the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and from abroad.

Fidelity's "Operation Restore Hope" program was designed to help and provide basic necessities for life like food, water, clothing and temporary shelter to citizens who lost everything in the wake of Joaquin. It also provided a means by which the average Bahamian could lend a hand. Gregory Bethel, president, retail banking at Fidelity Bank, applauded those persons who have donated to Fidelity's hurricane relief fund or who have in some other way contributed in the efforts to assist and rebuild communities in the southern islands.

"As recovery efforts continue, we know that even greater needs will become apparent for families that have been impacted so deeply and extensively by this disaster," said Bethel. "Bahamians are not only tough and resilient - as we've already seen throughout the storm and initial recovery period - they are also caring, generous and kind. Above all, we are a community and we take care of each other."

Craig Tony Gomez, president of the Bahamas Red Cross Society, thanked Fidelity and others in the community for their generosity. He said the donation will go a long way in providing aide for the estimated 5,000 persons affected by Joaquin, especially during the holiday season.

While the southern islands are slowly recovering, helping persons in those islands return to some form of normalcy will take much more time, resources and assistance. Fidelity encourages other companies and organizations to contribute to the disaster relief efforts.

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