The Grand Bahama Shipyard Social and Community Club will host the ‘Our Kids’ Future Matters’ Back-to-School Walkathon and Giveaway beginning 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 3, 2016.
Jecholiah Barnett, GB Shipyard Social and Community Club President expressed sincere gratitude to the West Grand Bahama (WGB) Local Government Council and Grand Bahama Health Services (GBHS) Community Nursing Division that have partnered to ensure the upcoming event is a success benefitting all back-to-schoolers and the elderly.
“The Grand Bahama Shipyard Social and Community Club is an employee based initiative grounded upon social camaraderie and community involvement hence along with our partners, we will be hosting two events, which are the ‘Our Kids’ Future Matters’ Back-to-School Fun, Run/Walk and Giveaway and a Personal Hygiene and Health Talk.
“We are inviting the entire West Grand Bahama community as well as the general public to sign up for the fun, run/walk and support this worthy cause by registering in advance.
“Fifteen dollars is the cost of registration, which includes a T-shirt and refreshments that would be on site, however we wish to advise the public that a system has been implemented that must be adhered to.
“The walk will begin at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church traveling west on Queens Highway through Grant’s Laundromat Corner (Junior Grant) heading east on Bayshore Road ending at St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish Hall.
“Only paid registrants will be eligible to win the prizes and surprises that would be available following the fun, run/walk and we want parents and guardians to note that children ages five to 17 years old will be allowed to participate free of charge once they are registered before or promptly on the morning of the event,” said Barnett.
Registered participants will receive a wristband, which will help to make identifying them much easier for event coordinators revealed Barnett, who also noted that registration forms can be picked up and dropped off at the WGB Local Government Office, Eight Mile Rock.
All funds derived from the event will be donated to schools throughout the Eight Mile Rock East Township and West Grand Bahama community that have petitioned the Grand Bahama Shipyard for aid in securing much-needed educational equipment and materials to help all students start the 2016/2017 school semester off right.
Grand Bahama Shipyard Occupational Health and ‘Our Kids’ Future Matters’ Back-to-School Walkathon and Giveaway Co-coordinator Nurse Sabrina Sweeting encouraged all to come out and participate in the event whether or not they are able to walk or run as their support, no matter what, would help children throughout the Eight Mile Rock East Township and West Grand Bahama community receive the academic assistance that they desperately need, understand the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene and putting healthy habits into proper practice.
“Hypertension, diabetes and heart disease are three of the major non-communicable diseases that affect our community, which also results in frequent admission of persons combating such to our local hospitals therefore, in this regard we are delighted to have nurses from the GBHS Healthy Lifestyles Community Nursing Department conducting free biometric screenings from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on the day of the event.
“As our focus is on children and young adults we will be conducting Personal Hygiene & Health Talk sessions that will deal with promoting proper hygiene and health practices for our youth.
“Every child that attends these sessions will be presented with a hygiene kit and again we are truly grateful to all our partners and sponsors including FOCOL, Kosha Ltd. and Frank’s Ice Cream,” said Nurse Sweeting.
GBHS Healthy Lifestyles Community Nurses Nicole Bain and Allison Knowles revealed they are elated to be participating in the event and urged members of the community to come out, be screened and to put into practice all the healthy lifestyle habits to prevent ill health and live a long, prosperous life.
Rosney Cooper, WGB Local Government representative and Co-coordinator of the back-to-school event thanked all organizations and agencies that have joined together to produced success stating, “On behalf of the WGB Local Government Chief Councilor George ‘Jimmy’ Smith, Administrator Brenda Bullard-Colebrook, Eight Mile Rock East Township.
Chairman Perry Charlton we would like to extend sincere thanks to the GB Shipyard Co. Ltd., GB Shipyard Social & Community Club that answered our written requests to assist in co-hosting this back-to-school event.
“Their positive intervention could not have come at a better time as the help and donations are definitely needed.
“We are sure that the residents would show how appreciative they are with the assistance being provided by coming out in full force to participate in and support these events.
“Quite a large number of the GB Shipyard Social and Community Club members (employees) live in the West Grand Bahama community, which we believe plays a significant role in the support and volunteerism given us.
“Of course we know this is indeed a very proud moment for the GB Shipyard Co. Ltd., and striking such a profound partnership between all the organizations and agencies certainly bodes well for our children, young adults and the elderly residing throughout the settlement.
“We hope this partnership would be a long and lasting one and the event would be held on an annual basis.
“Additionally we would like to thank Willis Baldwin Rolle, Eight Mile Rock East Township member for all he has done in assessing the communities throughout his township and the West Grand Bahama community.
“He has helped to secure the necessary assistance needed to build up our community and make this upcoming event a success, including Crown Ice, Freeport Container Port, Gold Rock Creek Co. Ltd and Cable Bahamas among many others.”
Once again all members of the community are encouraged to come out and be a part of the Our Kids’ Future Matters’ Back-to-School Walkathon and Giveaway and Personal Hygiene & Health Talk said Barnett, whom like all partners hopes that this event would be a great success and the beginning of future community building.
By Sharell Lockhart
Source: Freeport News/Guardian
