Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville was on hand Thursday to receive relief supplies for Columbus House for Boys and Girls, as well as the Burrows Home for the Aged thanks to a partnership between the Ministry for Grand Bahama and The Faith Center of Sunrise, Florida.
In two separate brief ceremonies, Dr. Darville thanked Pastor of The Faith Center, Bishop Henry Fernandez for his gifts to the Grand Bahamian community. He noted gratefully that though it has been only two months since Hurricane Matthew hit Grand Bahama at a very damaging Category 4, with the community of the island working very closely together, the island was in restoration mode.
“These essential supplies will go a long way as we prepare for the Christmas Holidays and as the kids at Columbus House prepare for the re-opening of school in January.”
This marks the second trip to Grand Bahama for Bishop Fernandez in a partnership between the Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism and The Faith Center.
A week ago, Minister Darville, along with representatives from the Ministry of Grand Bahama and the Ministry of Tourism were in Fort Lauderdale as guests of Bishop Fernandez and The Faith Center. It was during that visit that Bishop Fernandez made an appeal to his church membership for financial donations to assist Grand Bahama in some way, following the devastation of Hurricane Matthew.
Thursday’s presentations were the fulfillment of the commitments and pledges made by members of The Faith Center to assisting the people of Grand Bahama.
Among the supplies that were delivered to Columbus House for boys and girls, were two generators, a large supply of water, and Christmas boxes.
During the presentation to Columbus House, the local arm of National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) presented supplies to the Grand Bahama Red Cross, inclusive of blankets, radio and eating utensils.
To the Burrows Home for the Aged, were blankets and toiletries. In a surprise gesture, Bishop Fernandez made a promise to the owner of the Burrows Home for the Aged, Mrs. Irene Burrows, to send a check every month to help defray the cost of the Home’s electricity bill.
“NEMA, through the Ministry of Grand Bahama, has assessed the damages to the Burrows Home and we are going to partner with them to make sure that the structural integrity of the Home is well-kept and all of the damages that took place from Hurricane Matthew are repaired as soon as possible,” said Dr. Darville.
As part of collaboration with the Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism, Bishop Fernandez and Faith Center will host a second annual religious conference in Freeport, Grand Bahama, called Faith Fest. The purpose of the conference, slated for March 2017, will be spiritual rejuvenation and physical relaxation. Some 21 countries are expected to take part at next year’s conference, which will include hundreds of visitors to Grand Bahama Island.
CHRISTMAS BOXES – As a part of the supplies donated to the Boys and Girls at Columbus House, a number of “Christmas Boxes” were donated to the residents of the program. Pictured with the supplies were (from left): Patrice Mack (Social Services), Eleanor Williams (Administrator, Columbus House), Paula Marshall (Assistant Director of Social Services), Bishop Henry Fernandez, Minister Michael Darville, Betty Bethel (Director of Tourism in Grand Bahama), and Tammi Mitchell (NEMA Centre Manager). (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)
GIFTS FOR THE ELDERLY – The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry for Grand Bahama joined forces with The Faith Center, Florida, to donate much-needed supplies to the elderly residents of Burrows Home for the Aged. On hand for the presentation: Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville (third left), Bishop Henry Fernandez of The Faith Center (fourth left) and Irene Burrows, owner and operator of Burrows Home for the Aged (second left). (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)
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