Thursday, February 11, 2010

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Haiti relief extended Bank of The Bahamas has announced plans to extend its Haiti relief efforts - leaving both its telethon donation account and relief supply drop box open for at least one more week. According to the bank, the local outpouring of support for victims of the January 12 earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, has prompted the move by BOB and its partners, City Market stores and Kelly's at the Mall at Marathon, to extend the time it will leave large drop-off boxes in place for relief supplies. "Boxes in some locations are continuing to fill up daily," said Dania Ferguson, the bank's Marketing Coordinator. "As long as the need for medical supplies, bandages, blankets, baby goods, toiletries, bedding, bandages and clothing remains pressing and as long as our partners are willing to devote floor space to relief efforts, we want to do everything we can to facilitate those efforts." Boxes were originally intended to remain in place until January 27. Relief supplies, including ready-to-eat foods, are being collected by the bank at its 13 branches throughout The Bahamas as well as the popular food store chain and Kelly's. All goods collected are donated to The Salvation Army with distribution and transportation assistance from the Rotary clubs of The Bahamas. For those who want to make cash or credit card donations, the bank's Haiti relief telethon account will continue to accept donations. All cash donations to that account will assist Rotary which as of January 26 shipped in more than 60,000 pounds of medical supplies along with other essentials. That account number is 5510032762. Meanwhile, Marubeni TAQA Caribbean (MTC), owners of utility assets in four Caribbean nations, has pledged US$50,000 as well as technical support of recovery efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. In announcing the support, MTC's President & CEO Tom Samson said: "MTC felt it imperative to express in a tangible manner our solidarity with the Haitian people in assisting with their recovery from this unprecedented disaster. We have also asked our operating affiliates in the Caribbean region to participate in technical assistance efforts currently under way. We offer our heartfelt condolences to all the families that have been affected by this tragedy." Additionally the MTC-owned electric utility companies in Grand Bahama and Jamaica intend to participate in the restoration efforts being coordinated by the Caribbean Electric Utility Service Utility (CARILEC) once international utility crews receive the necessary clearances from the Haitian authorities. As a part of its contribution to the relief efforts in Haiti, Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) has made an initial cash contribution to the CARILEC organization, while its employees have taken up a collection for donation to the Salvation Army to support the work in Haiti. As an added incentive to its employees, GBPC matched their employee contribution. Monday February 1, 2010