New Category : Community/Charity

BAMSI donates to Government High

Thu, Feb 2nd 2023, 03:07 PM

In the summer of 2022, the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) hosted its very first, week-long summer camp in New Providence using the classroom and grounds of Government High School as their base of operations. Some 60 boys, girls and teens participated in the camp that featured visits to several farms, agricultural and heritage sites throughout New Providence, including Blue Fields Farm, Clifton Heritage, and the Maillis Farm in Southern New Providence.  As a way of saying thank you to Government High School for providing a safe space to broaden the experience of young Bahamians and allowing BAMSI to create an enjoyable atmosphere where campers could learn about agriculture all while having fun, BAMSI officials donated a laptop computer to the school on Thursday to support the research being conducted by students in the agriculture program. The camp proved to be such a success that two students have since enrolled in BAMSI.Pictured from left: Agriculture teacher Mr. Yosvanis Cruz, BAMSI President, Senator, the Hon. Dr. Erecia Hepburn-Forbes, Principal of Government High School Ms. Pavia Rolle , Manager of Academic Affairs (BAMSI) Ms. Brandly Mortimer and Head of the Agriculture Department Mr. Macneil Parris.

In the summer of 2022, the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) hosted its very first, week-long summer camp in New Providence using the classroom and grounds of Government High School as their base of operations. Some 60 boys, girls and teens participated in the camp that featured visits to several farms, agricultural and heritage sites throughout New Providence, including Blue Fields Farm, Clifton Heritage, and the Maillis Farm in Southern New Providence.  As a way of saying thank you to Government High School for providing a safe space to broaden the experience of young Bahamians and allowing BAMSI to create an enjoyable atmosphere where campers could learn about agriculture all while having fun, BAMSI officials donated a laptop computer to the school on Thursday to support the research being conducted by students in the agriculture program. The camp proved to be such a success that two students have since enrolled in BAMSI. Pictured from left: Agriculture teacher Mr. Yosvanis Cruz, BAMSI President, Senator, the Hon. Dr. Erecia Hepburn-Forbes, Principal of Government High School Ms. Pavia Rolle , Manager of Academic Affairs (BAMSI) Ms. Brandly Mortimer and Head of the Agriculture Department Mr. Macneil Parris.

 

Spouse of Prime Minister: Family is to serve as an oasis

Mon, Jan 23rd 2023, 06:16 PM

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The family is the bedrock of society and is to serve as an oasis for all families, spouse of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Ann-Marie Davis, said recently. An oasis symbolizes life, love and domesticity.

Mrs. Davis was addressing the “Embracing the Family; It’s a Family Affair” Red Carpet Dinner hosted by the Urban Renewal Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force in partnership with the Urban Renewal Commission, Global 99.5FM, and churches from across communities. The event was held at the All Saints Parish Hall, East Street South.

 Families from across various urban communities packed the Hall to enjoy a sumptuous meal while hearing from a cross-section of speakers on topics ranging from how to encourage young persons to stay focused; the importance of attending Sunday School; challenges facing teens, youth involvement and embracing the family. Speakers included Dr. E. Corey Rolle, Youth Pastor, Bahamas Harvest Ministries Int’l; Pastor John Ferguson, Director, Big Harvest Community Sunday School; Dr. Eric Fox, Anger Management Consultant; Reverend Dr. Ronald Campbell, Pastor, Highway Church of God, Windsor Place, and Pastor Mario Moxey, Pastor, Bahamas Harvest Church.

 The event was held as a component of Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander’s Policy Vision, “which involves undergirding families as a means of nation-building and crime prevention.”

 Mrs. Davis applauded the collaboration as a step in the right direction.

 “The family is the bedrock of society! Many life lessons are learned or fostered by being in a good family structure,” Mrs. Davis said. “If there is no love and support in the family, there may be loneliness, depression, and one may experience hopelessness. In life, many challenges cause us to need someone to lean on, whether for social or economic reasons. The family serves as the oasis to run to when the going get rough. Today, I applaud the Urban Renewal Division for stepping in the gap and being the leaders of many of our families – as father, mother, even grandparents and role models.”

Mrs. Davis said the Urban Renewal Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force - through their Family Support Programme (headed by Superintendent of Police Theodore Campbell) -- and in collaboration with the Church and community police, reach out daily to young persons across communities: “who need direction, encouragement and leadership.”

 “Most countries thrive because of strong families, which are the steel in the foundation,” Mrs. Davis said. “It is easy to conclude that people accustomed to the great experiences of the family would contribute to helping to create beautiful neighbourhoods and  eventually, beautiful countries.  So we must strengthen the Family Structure.

 “In many households where a father or mother figure is missing, ‘Embracing the Family’ and strengthening the family structure is essential. Giving hope and spiritual guidance to our young people has to be continued. Urban Renewal’s Police Division plays this role. Relations are an essential part of life. The family also teaches how to interact in future relationships, whether at school or in adult life. Urban Renewal does that. So we can say that Urban Renewal is the mother, father, counsellor, grandparents, big brother, big sister and friend. They reach out to our nation’s youth maintaining positive engagement and fostering meaningful relationships with community youth.”

 While applauding the work of numerous government and non-government groups to strengthen families in-country as essential, Mrs. Davis said the best model for a family is in having mother and father “working in harmony to provide their child/children with the tools to shape their character and preparing them for the world ahead.”

 “Friends, concepts of a family are diverse. However, a family in our society, consists of a mother or a mother figure, a father or father figure, and even grandparents. Anyhow you cut it, the family model is to have both mother and father working in harmony toward the molding of the children, giving them the tools to shape their character and preparing them for the world ahead.”

 Mrs. Davis said in cases where that is not happening: “the family could be the community – this concept goes back to the saying: ‘It takes a village to raise a child’”.

 “Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we don’t need a real mother and father raising their children, supplying their needs, disciplining them when necessary, ensuring they do their chores and homework etcetera. We need to see families being built, because we all know the value of when we can all get together with family, be it on vacation, holidays, or just plain old weekend visits.

“Family reunions are priceless, but when spirits are down, a visit to the homestead could remedy the problem. It's a safe place. It's a familiar place. So we welcome the traditional family.

“The stark reality is that a healthy family has nothing to do with finances but more about principle, respect, love, and honor. Families boost our confidence and make us feel loved. They are the pillars of our strength who never fall, instead keep us strong so we become better people. We learn the values of love, respect, faith, hope, caring, cultures, ethics, traditions, and everything else that concerns us through our families.

“Tonight, ‘It’s A Family Affair Here’ with all of us. Let us continue to build the family unit. You can do it. Parents, I say to you tonight, enhance your family life and save the children, especially our boys. Start with your children, training them in the right way from when they are very young. Our children must be saved, now.”

Rotarians Urged to 'Level Up'

Mon, Jan 23rd 2023, 12:58 PM

Aliv comes on board as sponsor of CARIFTA

Thu, Jan 19th 2023, 09:07 AM

BTC Invests $120,000 In Scholarships

Wed, Jan 18th 2023, 10:14 AM

GraceKennedy Money Services customers win thousands of dollars worth of free groceries

Tue, Jan 17th 2023, 09:52 AM

GraceKennedy Money Services customers win thousands of dollars worth of free groceries

Three GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS) customers discovered helping others has its own rewards.

As skyrocketing food prices take a toll on wallets, Stephanie Braynen, Barbara Harris and Rosena Joseph each walked away with $1,000 in grocery items after winning a three-minute holiday shopping spree promotion on Friday, January 13, at Xtra Valu Food Store in Nassau Village.

Braynen sent money to a relative. Harris wired funds to help out a friend in a financial bind; while Joseph dispatched her cash to Haiti, assisting her sister and three other children from her old neighborhood with school fees. Their generosity was returned to them in multiples.

"This will help me a whole lot," said Braynen who's battling neck, shoulder and back injuries from a fall at work. Unable to dash through the aisles herself, Braynen turned to her friend Veronda Finley to assist with the grocery store grab.

With her daughter-in-law hospitalized Braynen has been helping her son with his two young boys. Her initial plan was to have Finley get as much juice and snacks for the children as she could and then, maybe, laundry items.

That was before she scoped out the spacious supermarket for the first time. The plan changed to having Finley snatch as many items from freezers -like chicken and shrimp- and off shelves - from snacks to cleaning supplies- as possible.

"I've never won anything in my life. This has to be God. I'm out there helping people all the time and I never get any help. To win out of so many people, God is answering my prayers,” said Braynen.

According to Lovy Jean, operations and network development manager at GKMS Bahamas, the company had no idea random winners were doing something good for someone, expecting nothing in return, when they usedthe money transfer services between November 1 to December 31.

“They made a positive difference in their recipients’ lives and we are happy to do the same for them,” he said.

During GKMS’ wildly popular annual campaign every customer who sent a money transfer from anywhere in The Bahamas was automatically entered to win the holiday shopping spree promotion, explained Narissa Eve, the company’s business development and marketing officer for Cayman, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.

“Weekly winners received a $100 John Bull gift certificate. At the end of the promotion, three lucky winners were randomly selected to receive up to $1,000 from Xtra Valu in a grocery grab.”

On Friday, shoppers and food store workers were captivated by the spectacle while hundreds tuned in on Facebook live to watch Louby Georges host the event. In-store, DJ Counsellor provided the music and told shoppers about the opportunity to score an assortment of free GraceKennedy giveaways including shopping bags, knapsacks, phone chargers and water bottles.

First up for the grocery grab was Barbara Harris’ friend Voylona Johnson. Harris, a bakery worker, was unable to participate in the shopping spree and sent Johnson as her replacement.

Johnson, who was unable to discuss strategy with Harris beforehand, made a beeline for the store’s wholesale section, where she spent most of her time picking up cases of water, Vitamalt, cleaning supplies and bath and body products.

Johnson filled more than four trolleys and was noticeably winded after running through the aisles.

“Grab everything and go,” was her strategy, she said.

Harris, who arrived at the food store after the event, was impressed by her friend’s haul.

“She got so much stuff I was able to bless my sister, family and friends with groceries,” she said. “A promotion like this allows the winners to be a blessing to others, and to think I was just helping out a friend going through a tough time.”

Rosena Joseph was the final grocery grab winner. After a couple phone calls and much persuasion, the skeptical hotel worker was eventually convinced to come on down to the food store.

Realizing the event was no prank upon arrival, she took full advantage of the opportunity to snap up a freezer and microwave. With her selection made and most of her money spent in under a minute, Joseph used the remaining time to sprint aisle after aisle not picking up much except for a couple bags of shrimp, wholesale size oil, dishwashing liquid, milk and orange juice.

One lucky Xtra Valu shopper who was able to answer a GKMS trivia question received a $200 shopping spree.

“We’re happy to help our holiday campaign winners save money on groceries,” said Jean. “From what we were told, it seems like these prizes couldn’t have come at a better time.”

GraceKennedy Money Services customers win thousands of dollars worth of free groceries Three GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS) customers discovered helping others has its own rewards. As skyrocketing food prices take a toll on wallets, Stephanie Braynen, Barbara Harris and Rosena Joseph each walked away with $1,000 in grocery items after winning a three-minute holiday shopping spree promotion on Friday, January 13, at Xtra Valu Food Store in Nassau Village. Braynen sent money to a relative. Harris wired funds to help out a friend in a financial bind; while Joseph dispatched her cash to Haiti, assisting her sister and three other children from her old neighborhood with school fees. Their generosity was returned to them in multiples. "This will help me a whole lot," said Braynen who's battling neck, shoulder and back injuries from a fall at work. Unable to dash through the aisles herself, Braynen turned to her friend Veronda Finley to assist with the grocery store grab. With her daughter-in-law hospitalized Braynen has been helping her son with his two young boys. Her initial plan was to have Finley get as much juice and snacks for the children as she could and then, maybe, laundry items. That was before she scoped out the spacious supermarket for the first time. The plan changed to having Finley snatch as many items from freezers -like chicken and shrimp- and off shelves - from snacks to cleaning supplies- as possible. "I've never won anything in my life. This has to be God. I'm out there helping people all the time and I never get any help. To win out of so many people, God is answering my prayers,” said Braynen. According to Lovy Jean, operations and network development manager at GKMS Bahamas, the company had no idea random winners were doing something good for someone, expecting nothing in return, when they usedthe money transfer services between November 1 to December 31. “They made a positive difference in their recipients’ lives and we are happy to do the same for them,” he said. During GKMS’ wildly popular annual campaign every customer who sent a money transfer from anywhere in The Bahamas was automatically entered to win the holiday shopping spree promotion, explained Narissa Eve, the company’s business development and marketing officer for Cayman, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. “Weekly winners received a $100 John Bull gift certificate. At the end of the promotion, three lucky winners were randomly selected to receive up to $1,000 from Xtra Valu in a grocery grab.” On Friday, shoppers and food store workers were captivated by the spectacle while hundreds tuned in on Facebook live to watch Louby Georges host the event. In-store, DJ Counsellor provided the music and told shoppers about the opportunity to score an assortment of free GraceKennedy giveaways including shopping bags, knapsacks, phone chargers and water bottles. First up for the grocery grab was Barbara Harris’ friend Voylona Johnson. Harris, a bakery worker, was unable to participate in the shopping spree and sent Johnson as her replacement. Johnson, who was unable to discuss strategy with Harris beforehand, made a beeline for the store’s wholesale section, where she spent most of her time picking up cases of water, Vitamalt, cleaning supplies and bath and body products. Johnson filled more than four trolleys and was noticeably winded after running through the aisles. “Grab everything and go,” was her strategy, she said. Harris, who arrived at the food store after the event, was impressed by her friend’s haul. “She got so much stuff I was able to bless my sister, family and friends with groceries,” she said. “A promotion like this allows the winners to be a blessing to others, and to think I was just helping out a friend going through a tough time.” Rosena Joseph was the final grocery grab winner. After a couple phone calls and much persuasion, the skeptical hotel worker was eventually convinced to come on down to the food store. Realizing the event was no prank upon arrival, she took full advantage of the opportunity to snap up a freezer and microwave. With her selection made and most of her money spent in under a minute, Joseph used the remaining time to sprint aisle after aisle not picking up much except for a couple bags of shrimp, wholesale size oil, dishwashing liquid, milk and orange juice. One lucky Xtra Valu shopper who was able to answer a GKMS trivia question received a $200 shopping spree. “We’re happy to help our holiday campaign winners save money on groceries,” said Jean. “From what we were told, it seems like these prizes couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits Lends Support to Our Four-Legged Friends

Thu, Jan 12th 2023, 10:20 AM

Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits reprised its role as a major sponsor of the Annual Baark Golf Tournament this year. Now in its second year, the tournament was held at the Ocean Club Golf Course inhonour of the Royal Bahamian Potcake. “Much like our Sands Beer, thepotcake is Truly Bahamian,” noted Executive Sales and Marketing ManagerWellington Seymour “and so it made sense for Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits tocome on board in support of this great event.”

In December, fifty-nine, two-person teams braved inclement weather to teeoff for the opportunity to raise much-needed funding to support BAARK’songoing projects. “The goal of this Golf Tournament was to raise $100,000to support the ongoing operations of the BAARK! Mobile Clinic,” notedBAARK Clinic Administrator Bonnie Young. “What started off as a rainy dayturned into a glorious day and exceeded this year’s fundraising goal.”

In addition to offering golf enthusiasts a day of fierce but friendlycompetition on the greens, the day also gave participants a chance to seethe organization’s Mobile Vet Clinic at work. “It was really important for usto be able to show our partners the great work that we do on a daily basis.We were able to perform as many as 19 spay & neuter surgeries during thetournament” she said.

Returning as a major highlight of the event were strategically placedrefreshment stations that kept golfers hydrated with as much Sands Beeras they needed as well as a variety of Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktailscourtesy of the specialty Tito’s bar.

The company’s four-legged philanthropy did not stop there, however.Jimmy’s and its Tito’s Handmade Vodka brand made a significant donationto the Bahamas Humane Society - an organization with an establishedreputation as a protector, advocate, and educator on the rights of animals.

The ten-thousand-dollar donation was presented during a specialceremony at the organization’s Nassau headquarters. “We depend heavilyon donations like these,” said Percy Grant, Chief Inspector and ShelterManager at the Bahamas Humane Society. “The support of partners likeJimmy’s Wines & Spirits means that we’re able to maintain our no-killshelter which promotes the adoption and placement of otherwise unwantedanimals into loving and protective homes.”

According to Grant, the funds supported the organization’s ‘Paws in the Air’campaign. The program has helped the humane society address the highinflux of animals they receive and rehabilitate. “This generous donationtowards our Paws in the Air campaign allowed us to send thirty-five luckypotcakes to the wonderful people at Rylie’s Rescue in Philadelphia. Theseairlifts help tremendously with our mission to find every dog and cat aloving home of their own,” he explained. “Without the support of Jimmy’sand Tito’s this flight would not have been possible.”

With the start of the new year, Jimmys Wines & Spirits is already lookingforward to new partnerships with these NGOs. “Part of our mandate as aTruly Bahamian company is to support causes and organizations thatcontinue to do great work in the communities they serve” noted Seymour.

“Both these organizations have and continue to prove that they areadvocates for our four-legged friends and we are glad to assist in any waywe can.”

Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits reprised its role as a major sponsor of the Annual Baark Golf Tournament this year. Now in its second year, the tournament was held at the Ocean Club Golf Course in honour of the Royal Bahamian Potcake. “Much like our Sands Beer, the potcake is Truly Bahamian,” noted Executive Sales and Marketing Manager Wellington Seymour “and so it made sense for Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits to come on board in support of this great event.” In December, fifty-nine, two-person teams braved inclement weather to tee off for the opportunity to raise much-needed funding to support BAARK’s ongoing projects. “The goal of this Golf Tournament was to raise $100,000 to support the ongoing operations of the BAARK! Mobile Clinic,” noted BAARK Clinic Administrator Bonnie Young. “What started off as a rainy day turned into a glorious day and exceeded this year’s fundraising goal.” In addition to offering golf enthusiasts a day of fierce but friendly competition on the greens, the day also gave participants a chance to see the organization’s Mobile Vet Clinic at work. “It was really important for us to be able to show our partners the great work that we do on a daily basis. We were able to perform as many as 19 spay & neuter surgeries during the tournament” she said. Returning as a major highlight of the event were strategically placed refreshment stations that kept golfers hydrated with as much Sands Beer as they needed as well as a variety of Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktails courtesy of the specialty Tito’s bar. The company’s four-legged philanthropy did not stop there, however. Jimmy’s and its Tito’s Handmade Vodka brand made a significant donation to the Bahamas Humane Society - an organization with an established reputation as a protector, advocate, and educator on the rights of animals. The ten-thousand-dollar donation was presented during a special ceremony at the organization’s Nassau headquarters. “We depend heavily on donations like these,” said Percy Grant, Chief Inspector and Shelter Manager at the Bahamas Humane Society. “The support of partners like Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits means that we’re able to maintain our no-kill shelter which promotes the adoption and placement of otherwise unwanted animals into loving and protective homes.” According to Grant, the funds supported the organization’s ‘Paws in the Air’ campaign. The program has helped the humane society address the high influx of animals they receive and rehabilitate. “This generous donation towards our Paws in the Air campaign allowed us to send thirty-five lucky potcakes to the wonderful people at Rylie’s Rescue in Philadelphia. These airlifts help tremendously with our mission to find every dog and cat a loving home of their own,” he explained. “Without the support of Jimmy’s and Tito’s this flight would not have been possible.” With the start of the new year, Jimmys Wines & Spirits is already looking forward to new partnerships with these NGOs. “Part of our mandate as a Truly Bahamian company is to support causes and organizations that continue to do great work in the communities they serve” noted Seymour. “Both these organizations have and continue to prove that they are advocates for our four-legged friends and we are glad to assist in any way we can.”