A hundred thousand dollars and financial concessions to contribute to Hurricane Dorian relief efforts were announced by CIBC FirstCaribbean during a presentation at the Bahamas Red Cross headquarters recently.
During the donation to the Bahamas Red Cross, CIBC FirstCaribbean Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the bank’s charitable arm the FirstCaribbean International ComTrust Foundation, Colette Delaney, named a series of initiatives the bank has undertaken to help victims of the hurricane.
Ms. Delaney said, “We have an unwavering commitment to our staff and clients in the Caribbean, and we’re determined to do all we can to facilitate them as they rebuild their lives, homes, and businesses. To this end, we’ve put together a suite of special loans, deferred payments, and other concessions aimed at helping our staff, retail and corporate clients, credit card holders, and other Bahamians who qualify to receive this special financial assistance.
“We’ve also partnered with the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, to offer immediate support to 17 students from the Abaco islands and Grand Bahama whose lives were upended by the storm, but who will still travel to the campus in Barbados to commence their studies.”
The announcement came as Ms. Delaney presented a cheque for $100,000 to aid Hurricane Dorian relief efforts to Bahamas Red Cross President Terez Curry. Ms. Delaney noted that the donation was part of a larger contribution of $150,000 made by CIBC as a whole.
“Your pain and loss here is equally ours because we’re a part of this community, and we remain deeply committed to The Bahamas. Together, we will rebuild and heal. Rest assured, Bahamas, that we’re with you and we’re with you for the long haul,” she said.
Bahamas Red Cross President Terez Curry accepted the donation with thanks. She said, “CIBC FirstCaribbean has been a corporate partner with the Red Cross over the years, and has come to our aid with donations for the many hurricanes we’ve had in previous years.
“We’ve all seen the heartbreaking devastation on the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama, in which we’ve seen lives lost, homes destroyed, and people’s daily lives completely disrupted. However, we are a resilient people, and those affected islands will be back up and running in short time.
“We are partnering with our global network of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies who are here to support and assist us in this effort. Together we are rolling out a major humanitarian effort, and it is with corporate partners and donors that we are able to carry out our mandate to alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found and to provide humanitarian aid to everyone.”
CIBC FirstCaribbean has a history of supporting the Bahamas Red Cross in hurricane relief efforts, and recently donated $100,000 to them for Hurricane Dorian relief. The funds were part of a larger contribution of $150,000 made by CIBC as a whole. L to R: CIBC FirstCaribbean Managing Director (Bahamas & TCI) Marie Rodland-Allen; Bahamas Red Cross President Terez Curry; and CIBC FirstCaribbean CEO and ComTrust Chair Colette Delaney.
CIBC FirstCaribbean has partnered to support the Bahamas Red Cross’ various initiatives throughout the years, from hurricane relief efforts to selling Red Cross Fair raffle tickets. Bahamas Red Cross President Terez Curry said they greatly value their corporate partnership. L to R: Bahamas Red Cross President Terez Curry and CIBC FirstCaribbean CEO and ComTrust Chair Colette Delaney.
Bahamas Red Cross President Terez Curry shakes the hand of CIBC FirstCaribbean Managing Director (Bahamas & TCI) Marie Rodland-Allen (center) at a recent presentation to donate $100,000 from CIBC FirstCaribbean to Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts. To Mrs. Rodland-Allen’s left is Red Cross representative Luke Bethel and to her right is CIBC FirstCaribbean CEO and ComTrust Chair Colette Delaney.
Photo credit: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry
