The Salvation Army and CIBC FirstCaribbean have teamed up during one of the busiest and most expensive times of the year for some parents, to provide school uniforms to a number of students.
Salvation Army Community Relations Associate Melanese Coakley said, “Always at this time of year people are seeking uniforms to send their children back to school.
We try to help meet this need through our ‘Back to School’ program. The ‘Back to School’ program falls under our Red Shield Family Services department, which provides clothing and assistance in meeting basic home, educational and medical needs.”
The Salvation Army received a donation of $1,000 worth of gift certificates to Sandy’s clothing store – a staple back-to-school shopping destination – from CIBC FirstCaribbean, and the gift certificates will be distributed as needed.
Marie Rodland-Allen, CIBC FirstCaribbean Managing Director (Bahamas & TCI), said, “We know the Salvation Army does an excellent job and lots of hard work in order to help the kids in the community prepare for back to school.
“At CIBC FirstCaribbean, we also want to be a big part of our communities – the communities that we serve.
So we thought it was only fitting to partner with the Salvation Army, which is also an organization that our customers can donate to using their rewards points garnered from their CIBC FirstCaribbean reward cards. We’re hoping that by taking this first step, we’ll encourage our customers to give back also.”
CIBC FirstCaribbean Visa Gold credit card and bizline credit card customers may redeem their reward points for cash back, travel, or e-gift vouchers, or have the option to make a donation to the Salvation Army.
Salvation Army Divisional Manager for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, Major Clarence Ingram, said “The need has always been more than we can meet, and this year in particular, with the government having cut back, there are more people coming our way looking for assistance.
“This donation will assist those who are in desperate need of things to get their children back to school looking prim and proper as they ought to. We’re very appreciative of CIBC FirstCaribbean for contributing to our ‘Back to School’ program and welcome any other contributions. It’s always timely, and for those who do not have, it’s a lot.”
The Salvation Army’s “Back to School” program also provides notebooks, pens, backpacks, pencils, and other school supplies.
The administrative offices for The Salvation Army are located at 31 Mackey Street, Nassau.
All programs and services rendered in The Bahamas are coordinated from this location. Anyone seeking help or willing to make a donation can do so there.
The Salvation Army and CIBC FirstCaribbean teamed up to help send children back to school looking “prim and proper!” L to R: Salvation Army Community Relations Associate Melanese Coakley; CIBC FirstCaribbean Marketing Manager Nikia Christie; and Salvation Army Divisional Manager for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, Major Clarence Ingram.
