Nothing signals the return of Christmas like the iconic ringing of the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Bell. With a steep increase in unemployment and need locally and the world over, The Salvation Army is focused on its mission to 'Rescue Christmas' and provide help and hope for those in the community who are most vulnerable.

Supported by a $7,500 donation from CIBC FirstCaribbean, this year's Red Kettle campaign will launch on December 1st and continue through December 24th.

The familiar red kettles will be positioned at various retail locations, with volunteer ringers adhering to strict social distancing and sanitation protocols. This year, the Salvation Army has also launched a QR code quick pay system at all Kettle Bell locations to facilitate contactless, cashless donations.

"Safety is our top priority. We wanted to ensure that our supporters have a safe and convenient way to donate to our community support programs, so we developed a QR code quick pay system to provide the option of contactless transactions," stated Major Clarence Ingram, Divisional Commander at the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army's familiar red kettles help raise funds for their annual Christmas Cheer Program, which provides hot meals for individuals and families, toys for disadvantaged children, and personal care products for the elderly and institutionalized during the holiday season. This year, with a goal of raising $100,000, community support is especially important as the demand for assistance has increased tremendously in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are very excited today because we recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected so many individuals," shared Gezel Farrington, Director of Retail Banking Channels, CIBC FirstCaribbean. "We are pleased to be a part of this initiative, and would like to thank The Salvation Army for stepping up to the plate and helping our community."

CIBC FirstCaribbean has partnered with the Salvation Army for the past three years, generously donating to various programs that provide much-needed assistance to those in need.

Felix Stubbs, Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, expressed gratitude to the Salvation Army's donors and signaled the need for more support from both corporate Bahamas and individuals given the increase in need. "In the past year, The Bahamas has faced many challenges. In addition to Hurricane Dorian's detrimental effects, we now also face the economic hardships brought about by the COVID-19 global pandemic. There are many more people in need, and we need your help to assist those greatly in need."

Since March 2020, The Salvation Army has assisted more than 14,360 people through their COVID-19 relief programs.

To support the 89th Red Kettle Campaign and join a legacy of giving, persons may donate to the red kettles that will be located throughout New Providence or visit https://salvationarmybahamas.org/donations/

To learn more about the Red Kettle campaign or make a difference in the lives of those in your community, visit salvationarmybahamas.org or call The Salvation Army at 393-2340. 

The Salvation Army launches its annual Red Kettle Campaign with a corporate donation from CIBC FirstCaribbean. Pictured L-R: Gezel Farrington, CIBC FirstCaribbean Director of Retail Banking Channels; Felix Stubbs, Salvation Army Advisory Chairman; Andrew Malone, Salvation Army Advisory Board Member; Major Clarence Ingram, Salvation Army Divisional Commander; and Latoya Barnes, CIBC FirstCaribbean Director of Human Resources.

Pictured L-R: Gezel Farrington, CIBC FirstCaribbean Director of Retail Banking Channels; Nikia Christie, CIBC FirstCaribbean Marketing Manager; Major Clarence Ingram, Salvation Army Divisional Commander; and Latoya Barnes, CIBC FirstCaribbean Director of Human Resources.

About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. The Bahamas Division of The Salvation Army provides assistance through a wide array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, schooling and employment for the blind, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. For more information, go to www.salvationarmybahamas.org.

TOURISM Minister Dionisio D'Aguilar hopes the Grand Lucayan in Grand Bahama can be turned over to its purchasers by January, telling reporters COVID-19 had brought "frustration" to the deal.

000

ABNT20 KNHC 291746

TWOAT

Tropical Weather Outlook

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL

100 PM EST Sun Nov 29 2020

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

Shower and thunderstorm activity associated with a strong and large

non-tropical low pressure system over the far eastern Atlantic has

become a little better organized since yesterday. This low could

acquire subtropical characteristics during the next couple of days

while it meanders just to the north of the Canary Islands. By the

middle of the week, environmental conditions are forecast to become

unfavorable for further development. Regardless of development, this

system should cause strong winds and locally heavy rains in the

Madeira Islands through Monday or Tuesday. Additional information

on this system can be found in High Seas Forecasts issued by Meteo

France.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...40 percent.

* Formation chance through 5 days...medium...40 percent.

&&

High Seas Forecasts issued by Meteo France can be found under WMO

header FQNT50 LFPW.

$$

Forecaster Beven

No tropical cyclones as of Sat, 28 Nov 2020 23:16:43 GMT