The youngsters enrolled in the Mario Ford Baseball Programme are looking forward to new uniforms and equipment having received a donation from CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank.

Since its inception in 1986, the programme has grown to annual enrolments of approximately 120 enthusiastic youngsters aged between 4 and 15 years-old with a passion for baseball.

The contribution by CIBC FirstCaribbean is earmarked for baseballs, gloves, t-shirts and refreshments for the players.

President and founder, Mario Ford, said he created the programme as a means to give back to the youth of his community.

“I was inspired because I have a passion for baseball and always wanted to give back.

I believe it is important for this programme to exist in this society because it gives athletes an opportunity to learn baseball skills and discipline and provides wholesome recreational activity.

It also helps keep our young men off the streets so that they can focus their attention on something positive,” Mr. Ford said.

Robert Cox, Associate Director of Client Credit Management at the bank, said that CIBC FirstCaribbean was thrilled to be able to continue to support the program.

“As an avid sportsman, I have first-hand knowledge of the level of talent found amongst our youngsters across many sporting disciplines. People like Mario Ford are trying to train our kids to hone their skills, learn the value of being a part of a team, and finding joy in sports.

Most importantly, he’s helping to boost their self-esteem. This is the kind of program that helps to really empower our youth.”

Mr. Ford thanked CIBC FirstCaribbean for its support.

“When we received the donation it felt good to know that a corporate business actually cares about what we’re doing. CIBC FirstCaribbean has definitely been a great help to us and we are thankful for their assistance.”

Earlier this year during a Mario Ford Baseball Camp session, the boys got a special treat when professional baseball player Trent Deveaux attended one of their practice sessions at Windsor Field and provided some technical instruction.

Sixteen year-old Deveaux is related to Mario Ford and signed to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; he is in training in the Dominican Republic with Nogae Sports Nation Academy in preparation for his rookie debut. 

Mario Ford of the Mario Ford Baseball Program (center) accepts a cheque from Sean Blyden (left), Shirley Street Branch Manager and Maya Nottage (right), Marketing Manager of CIBC FirstCaribbean.

About CIBC FirstCaribbean
CIBC FirstCaribbean is the largest, regionally-listed bank in the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean serving over 400 000 customers in 17 markets, through approximately 2,700 staff, across 100 branches and offices. The bank, which has almost 250 years of combined experience in the region,  offers a full range of market-leading financial services in: Corporate and Investment Banking, Treasury Sales and Trading, Retail Banking, Wealth Management, Small Business and Credit Cards.

CIBC FirstCaribbean is a member of the CIBC Group. CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units – Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Wholesale Banking – CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world.

For more information about CIBC FirstCaribbean, visit www.cibcfcib.com

Lupus 242 recently received a donation from CIBC FirstCaribbean to assist its ongoing efforts in raising the awareness of the autoimmune illness.
Lupus is a prolonged disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs) and is routinely misdiagnosed. Once afflicted, it presents sporadically during a lifetime in episodes lasting anywhere from six weeks to several years.
Every year, local support group Lupus242 organizes a series of events to raise awareness about the chronic disease, providing information while supporting those who have been diagnosed. Understanding the need for public education and the devastation of families who have lost loved ones to the disease, CIBC FirstCaribbean made a donation to Lupus242 to assist its ongoing efforts.
"The more information that people have about lupus, the easier it would be to detect it and treat it," said Shonalee Johnson, vice president of Lupus 242. "Your knowledge about the disease can potentially save your life, because lupus is one of those diseases that can disguise as anything -- so you're never really sure. That is why it is important to educate yourself about your health."
Two months ago, Johnson's sister and former president of Lupus242, Shanelle Brennen, lost her battle with the disease after more than 20 years. In the midst of adversity and mourning Johnson vowed to continue her sister's work with Lupus242.
"Shanelle was an amazing person and her death is a huge loss for our family and our foundation. I am so happy that people got the chance to connect with her. We are continuing the work that she started with Lupus242," said Johnson.
CIBC FirstCaribbean Managing Director, Marie Rodland-Allen said they were pleased to support Lupus 242 in spreading awareness and educating the public about the disease.
"Lupus is one of those diseases that many of us are still trying to understand and that many people may not have heard of," said Rodland-Allen.
During May, which is recognized as Lupus Awareness Month, activities included POP (Put On Purple) Fridays, during which members of the public were encouraged to wear purple every Friday in the month to support lupus survivors.
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, at least five million people worldwide suffer from some form of lupus.

Jonquel Jones' time in South Korea in the Women's Korean Basketball League (WKBL), and the work she put in, in the offseason is certainly paying off.
The Bahamian post player had the first 20-20 game of her Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) career on Sunday night, powering the Connecticut Sun to their first win of the new season.
Jones, starting at center for the Sun this season, scored 23 points and pulled down 21 rebounds, both career highs, to lead them to an impressive 97-79 victory past the Chicago Sky at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, on Sunday. The Sun improved to a 1-4 win/loss record on the season, while the Sky dropped to 1-5.
Jones is averaging 14.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game this season, both career highs for her. She became the 13th player in WNBA history to record a 20-20 game on Sunday, and is also just the third WNBA player to ever record multiple 20-rebound games in the same season. She had 20 in the season opener against Atlanta on May 13. Tina Charles had three in 2010 and Sylvia Fowles had two in 2013. Coincidentally, Minnesota Lynx center Fowles is the only other player in the league averaging a double-double this season.
As for Jones, the 6'6" 23-year-old from George Washington University is currently leading the league in rebounds and is 12th in scoring. She scored 19 of her 23 points in the second half on Sunday, helping the Sun to pull away from the Sky.
Versatile forward Alyssa Thomas posted a double-double as well, the fifth of her career, with 17 points and 10 rebounds while also dishing out five assists. Lynetta Kizer came off the bench and posted a season-high 16 points. She matched her season high in rebounds with seven.
The Sun led 27-21 after the first quarter and were ahead 49-37 at the break. The Sky got to within five midway through the third and were down just 70-62 at the end of three. The Sky got to within seven early in the final quarter, but Jones scored four quick points to push the lead back to double digits, and the Sky never threatened the rest of the way.
Tamera Young led the Sky with 17 points and Allie Quigley added 13.
Jones shot 7-for-17 from the floor and buried her only three point attempt. It was her second three pointer of the season. Jones also shot 8-for-12 from the free throw line. She is shooting an even 50 percent on the season and 82.6 percent from the charity stripe. She is currently in a three-way tie for 14th in field goal percentage.
Jones and the Sun travel to Washington to face the Mystics in an unusual early game on Wednesday. They will play at 11:30 a.m.

The anticipated repeal of the Grand Bahama (Port Area) Investment Incentives Act 2016 would help to facilitate the ease of doing businesses in Freeport for present and future licensees of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), said GBPA President Ian Rolle yesterday.
The Free National Movement (FNM) government pledged to repeal and replace the act to ensure that all GBPA licensees receive equal treatment under the law.
"The repealing of the Grand Bahama Incentives Act is a positive thing for the licensees and the future licensees in regards to making it easy to do business in Freeport," Rolle told Guardian Business.
"It was always GBPA's intent for all of our existing and future licensees to automatically receive the right to automatic concessions without going through a bureaucratic process."
Rolle explained that in order for the move to boost Freeport's economy, it would take "more than just repealing the act".
"The government and the Port Authority are speaking jointly at the moment in regards to cause this movement to happen," he said.
"It also entails tweaking of immigration policies, doing more promotions together and working closely with each other to make this happen.
"Conversations have already happened and it is very positive for the city of Freeport."
In the interim, the economy of Freeport is still "suffering" post Hurricane Matthew, said Rolle.
"We can all see that our major hotel product, which is the Grand Lucayan, is still not open fully," said Rolle.
"That is causing an issue in the tourism economy especially.
"We are all working feverishly to try and get that anchor hotel open as soon as possible and placed in the right hands.
"The opening of that hotel would be a catalyst to other planned developments."
As previously reported, the prospective buyer for the Grand Lucayan complex is Canadian real estate developer Paul Wynn of the Wynn Group.
Vice President of the Wynn Group Randy Hart previously told Guardian Business that work is being done "aggressively" to finalize arrangements for the sale and reopening of the resort.
On a separate accord, the GBPA is also doing its part to provide opportunities for business owners amid a challenged economy.
"Our vision plan is based on growth and impact," said Rolle.
"We want to focus on a number of different areas. We are looking for ways to encourage in unique businesses instead of everyone trying to do the same thing. The pie is only so big.
"We are offering incentives for persons to come up with unique business opportunities in the downtown area particularly at this moment."