Three organisations came together this week to lend support to many for whom Hurricane Matthew is all too real a weather event that is still not over.

“This has been an amazing experience, lending a new meaning to the term triple play,” said Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) President Carla Sweeting. “The partnership between many of our BREA members and One Ocean has exceeded all expectations and we are so grateful to them for all they have done in such a short period of time. As a result of their generosity matching our donation, together we are able to assist a third organization, the Rotary Club of East Nassau. We are here today at One Ocean on Paradise Island to present Rotary with a total of $5,200 for hurricane relief.”

What began with a phone call to ask about a venue for BREA’s annual Christmas party evolved into the largest charitable donation in BREA’s history, added BREA VP Christine Wallace-Whitfield.

“The three-way partnership began with a simple phone call and ended with the donation of more than $5,000 to Rotary on January 25,” she said, explaining BREA was looking for an unusual venue for its annual holiday party. One Ocean, with residences ranging from $900,000 to $4.5 million opened its arms and extended the red carpet treatment to industry professionals.

“The patios overlooking the harbor looked like a movie set,” said Wallace-Whitfield. “It was spectacular. Live music, great food, the best holiday party ever for BREA.”

More than 100 real estate professionals showed up to network and toast to the season but beyond the celebration was a deeper drive – to unite behind a cause. In past years, BREA members contributed personally to the Persis Rodgers Home for the Aged. In 2015, they raised funds for HeadKnowles to help with hurricane relief efforts after Hurricane Joaquin. This year, the goal was to help the Rotary Club of East Nassau for Hurricane Matthew relief.

“When we told the folks at One Ocean we had raised $2600 among the members who were at their harbourfront property that one evening, without one minute’s hesitation, they said ‘We will match it dollar for dollar,’” said Sweeting.

“As a corporate citizen that truly respects and appreciates The Bahamas, we want to do our part to assist,” said One Ocean Sales Director Myles Newell. “This is a very important effort. This donation is being made at a time when funds are urgently needed to assist those who are continuing to struggle to make repairs to homes, schools, churches and businesses after Hurricane Matthew.”

Rotary Club of East Nassau President and member of the Rotary Bahamas Disaster Committee Diane de Cardenas said funds would go to long-term relief.

“The role of Rotary Bahamas in response to Hurricane Matthew, and with most disasters, is to respond with long term relief. Local and international partners have been generous in their giving to Rotary because they trust the organization. The Rotary Bahamas Disaster Committee is charged with selecting projects through which the money can be disbursed in a controlled and transparent way. The committee has been evaluating various areas needing relief and hope to kick-off its rebuilding project in the coming weeks.”

De Cardenas pointed to The Rotary Foundation’s most recent accolade, the highest possible score from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S.

In the most recent ratings, released on 1 September, The Rotary Foundation earned the maximum 100 points for both demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. In The Bahamas, Rotary has partnered with the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation, among others, in Rebuild Bahamas, providing relief to businesses to enable them to resume operations, kick-starting local economies after Joaquin ravaged much of the southeastern Bahamas.

BREA members, One Ocean Match Donations to Rotary Club of East Nassau for hurricane relief. Pictured l-r, Mike Lightbourn, Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty and Rotarian, Carla Sweeting, ERA Dupuch Real Estate broker and BREA President, Diane DeWitt deCardenas, East Nassau Rotary President, Myles Newell, Director of Sales, One Ocean, Paradise Island and Christine Wallace-Whitfield, broker, Island Living Real Estate and VP, BREA.