Understanding the current plight of his employees and residents of The Bahamas in general, President and CEO of Jaroh Investments Ltd., Raymond H. Culmer on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, presented a $50,000 cheque to NEMA to assist those islands affected by Hurricane Matthew, at the Ministry for Grand Bahama.

According to Mr. Culmer, Hurricane Matthew is the second hurricane to hit the country in two years. Following Hurricane Joaquin, his company trading as Chances, made a donation in the same amount. He said, “We understand the devastation. We are a national company located in seven islands and we know the devastation our staff experienced and so this is the reason we are doing this.”

He added, “Our customers are what keep us afloat and who make us profitable and so our first obligation is to give back to them. We are giving it to NEMA so it can go all over The Bahamas.

Accepting the cheque on behalf of the government were Ministers Shane Gibson and Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville.

President and CEO of Chances, Raymond H. Culmer, on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 made a donation of $50,000 to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist with the restoration of the islands affected by Hurricane Matthew. Shown from left are: Alfred Stubbs, Security Manager; Nora Cooper, Compliance Manager; Dahlene Culmer; the Hon. D. Shane Gibson, Coordinator for Hurricane Matthew Relief and Recovery; Raymond Culmer; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama; Roquel Edgecombe, Human Resources Manager; Karen Wilson, Assistant Marketing Manager; and Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)

As coordinator for Hurricane Matthew Relief and Recovery, Minister Gibson thanked Chances for what he described as a very generous donation.

“I believe what is more significant this time,” said Minister Gibson, “generally in the past, businesses who would not have been directly impacted would have stepped forward and try to assist those islands in need. In this case, you have New Providence, Andros and Grand Bahama affected, and with Chances on all of those islands, he is facing his own challenges but stepped forward to the plate and tried to assist those persons who would have patronized is business over the years. It says a lot about how he feels about giving back to the people.

“We appreciate it and it is going to go a long way in assisting us in our efforts. As you know we are very challenged. Even though we borrowed $150 million to assist, we expect the final price tag to far surpass that.”

By Robyn Adderley

Bahamas Information Services