NEMA Grand Bahama, in conjunction with Elnet Empowerment Foundation, served thousands of Grand Bahamians during Operation Relief Saturday at Independence Park on Saturday, September 21, 2019.
NEMA Grand Bahama Coordinator, Senator the Hon. Katherine Forbes-Smith noted that the lines were indicative that so many persons were in need of assistance. She said that it was a community effort that made it all possible and this included all of the visiting NGOs, Red Cross, the visiting Trinidad and Tobago military, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force who were in charge of crowd control, as well as other volunteers.
Bringing the supplies to one central location enabled residents to leave with boxes of items which included: toiletries, baby items, snacks, a variety of drinks, air mattresses, small appliances, and many other items, including items to assist those who have a difficulty with mobility that may have been lost during the recent hurricane.
Additionally, while parents stood in line to collect their goods, children were entertained with a bouncing castle and giant slide, music and a hot meal. Food at the event was provided by BBQ Relief and World Kitchen, who fed the thousands of residents and volunteers.
Adults and children took advantage of the free haircuts being offered by five barbers.
Senator Smith stated, “It is just a community effort here today. We have a number of volunteers out here also trying to help people get their goods. Unfortunately, the lines are very long and I’m really sorry about that but that’s how many people need to get relief. We are trying the best we can.”
To further assist those in line, water was distributed at various gates.
Elliott Hepburn of Elnet said while he lives in Florida, he initially started mobilizing donations when he saw what was happening with Dorian in the Northern Bahamas. As a native of Grand Bahama, he said he feels what residents are going through and is pleased he is fortunate enough to assist where he can.
The six trailers of donated items is not the end he added, as about $100,000 worth of clothing has been donated, and so he and his staff will be a part of the event again.
Scheduled to begin at noon, people were in line at the park much earlier. The hundreds of volunteers quickly readied the area and began letting them in earlier than planned. In an organized fashion, the lines moved smoothly and continuously to well past the appointed 6pm end.
As a result of the great demand, the event was continued on Sunday at 1pm and by noon, a long line had already been formed.
This was the second such event, as on Saturday, September 14, Senator Smith, along with Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator the Hon. J. Kwasi Thompson, and others went into various communities to distribute relief supplies.
Many took advantage of free haircuts offered during Operation Relief Saturday on Saturday, September 21, at Independence Park. The event, hosted by NEMA in conjunction with Elnet Empowerment Foundation, was a major distribution drive for residents in one central location.
During Operation Relief Saturday, residents from all over Grand Bahama had the opportunity to select the items they needed during the major distribution event at Independence Park on Saturday, September 21. Hosted by NEMA in conjunction with Elnet, hundreds of volunteers participated.
Hundreds of cases were handed out on Saturday during Operation Relief Saturday.
During Operation Relief Saturday, held at Independence Park, NEMA Grand Bahama Coordinator, Senator Katherine Forbes-Smith, receives a warm embrace from Regina Hepburn, wife of Elliott Hepburn, owner of Elnet who hosted the event in conjunction with NEMA. Seen in the background are some of the trailers with donated supplies.
At Independence Park on Saturday, Operation Relief Saturday was in full gear as the major hurricane relief supplies distribution drive for residents of Grand Bahama. One of the generators is being lifted into a van for a person with diabetes.
Backpacks with supplies are among the items given away at Operation Relief Saturday at Independence Park.
Thousands attended Operation Relief Saturday at Independence Park in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Hosted by NEMA in conjunction with Elnet Empowerment Foundation, the demand for relief supplies was so great it continued Sunday.
(Photo/NEMA Grand Bahama)
