The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) and Bahamas Red Cross Grand Bahama Centre have partnered to bring relief to hurricane victims and are calling on the community to assist in their effort. Pictured from left: GBCC First Vice President Mick Holding, GBCC President Kevin D. Seymour, and Bahamas Red Cross Grand Bahama Centre Administrator Stephanie Barr. (Photo: Keen i Media Ltd.)
With hundreds of residents struggling to recover from the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) executives have teamed up with the Bahamas Red Cross Grand Bahama Centre to bring some relief to victims most in need.
The collaborating groups announced that they are accepting donations and made an appeal to the public to make a contribution of crucial supplies - namely drinking water, nonperishable foods, toiletries, flashlights and batteries.
"We all know that the residents here in Grand Bahama are a resilient group," GBCC President Kevin D. Seymour said. "We have no doubt that we will bounce back from this, however because of the devastation caused in some areas of Grand Bahama, we're appealing to the business community, and those who are able, to make available the food supplies, the building supplies, whatever your heart drives you to do, so that we can get these supplies to the victims."
With thousands of residents having been affected by the category four system, the chamber president said the objective of the relief initiative is to reach those residents who suffered major damage and loss in the wake of the storm.
Mr. Seymour acknowledged the importance of providing donors with a guarantee that donated items would be properly disseminated.
"We want to give a comfort to the donors that we will ensure any supplies donated are sent on to the Red Cross, and more importantly, that the supplies would be placed in the hands of those who need it the most, in the swiftest possible way," Mr. Seymour said.
To that extent, the partnering organisations are encouraging members of the public to submit the names of residents badly affected by the storm for preferential consideration.
Administrator of the Bahamas Red Cross Grand Bahama Centre Stephanie Barr said the local Red Cross centre has assumed the responsibility of accepting submissions for assistance.
"We have forms available at the office that we will write up with their addresses, and we also go out to look and make sure it's authentic," Ms. Barr said.
Residents submitting the name of a hurricane victim for assistance are asked to include an address and brief description of damage sustained.
To assist the GB Chamber of Commerce and Bahamas Red Cross in this relief effort, contact GBCC representatives Mercynth Ferguson - 801-2320 and Andrea Moxey - 442-3502, or Bahamas Red Cross Grand Bahama representatives Stephanie Barr - 557-6932 and Patrick Ferguson - 441-9264.
