A parcel of over 20 brand new generators made its way to Abaco yesterday to assist with relief efforts post Hurricane Dorian, which ravaged that island one year ago in September 2019. The generous donation – the second of its kind -- was made by a group of Pastors from the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME).
The Pastors include: Pastor Marcus Davidson, Mount Olive AME Church in Fort Lauderdale; Pastor John White, Emmanuel AME Church, Pembroke Pines, Florida and Reverend Ranford Patterson, Cousin McPhee AME Church, on Carmichael Road. Last Christmas, the Pastors also hosted a party for children staying at the Kendal Isaacs Gym, shortly following the passage of the hurricane.
Representing the group of pastors was Reverend Ranford Patterson, who handed over the donation to Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Darren Henfield, who is also the Member of Parliament for North Abaco. The event was held on Tuesday, 8th September 2020 on the church grounds.
“Following Hurricane Dorian, a group of us visited Abaco to assess the damages there. Upon arriving there, we noticed that the power was off and so we wanted to do something tangible that would bring immediate relief to the people,” said Rev. Patterson. “We decided that we would donate generators to assist in the efforts.” That first donation was made shortly after the hurricane last year.
Minister Henfield said that he was touched by the gesture of kindness extended by the Pastors.
“Reverend Patterson and the other pastors have been engaged with us from the beginning,” said Minister Henfield. “I have been impressed with their quick response to the plight of the people of Abaco and have also been appreciative of the children’s party held by Rev. Patterson and his colleagues from abroad.”
Currently, the Minister said that up to 85% power has been restored but that is related to the grid itself. Persons would still need to have the infrastructure to tap into the grid; therefore, a fair number of persons are still in need of power as their homes are still in a state of disrepair. Consequently, the Minister said that the donation of generators is a timely one, which would bring necessary relief to affected families.
A parcel of over 20 brand new generators made its way to Abaco, yesterday, to assist with relief efforts post Hurricane Dorian, which ravaged that island one year ago in September 2019. Reverend Ranford Patterson, Cousin McPhee AME Church handed over the generators to Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Darren Henfield, who is also the Member of Parliament for North Abaco. The event was held on Tuesday, 8th September on the church grounds. Pictured l-r: Brian Brown, Steward; Rev. Ranford Patterson, Senior Pastor, Cousin McPhee AME church; Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Darren Henfield; Rev. Rosalie Saunders and Rev. Clifford McKinney. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
By Betty Vedrine
