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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
All-Bahamian Bank, All-Bahamian Generosity - Commonwealth Bank today donated $100,000 to the Bahamas Red Cross to assist with hurricane relief efforts. It was the single largest donation to the local Red Cross since the storm and will be used to supply food, water, bedding and tarps to protect homes and businesses that lost roofs during last week’s devastation. Pictured l. to r.: Caroline Turnquest, Director General, Bahamas Red Cross; Craig ‘Tony’ Gomez, President, Bahamas Red Cross; Ian Jennings, President, Commonwealth Bank; Carole Rodgers, VP Operations, Commonwealth Bank (Photo: Vision Photography)
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Nassau, New Providence - One week after Hurricane Matthew slammed into The Bahamas leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, Commonwealth Bank today donated $100,000 to the Bahamas Red Cross to assist with hurricane relief efforts.
It was the single largest donation to the local Red Cross since the storm and will be used to supply food, water, bedding and tarps to protect homes and businesses that lost roofs when Matthew lashed heavily populated areas in New Providence and wreaked havoc on North Andros and Grand Bahama.
“This storm has touched everybody in the country to some degree,” said Ian Jennings, President, Commonwealth Bank. “There is no one who has not been touched, including our own staff, our management and executives. Experiences range from those who have minor roof damage, others are without power and water to those who have lost their homes and everything they had. The damage is beyond our imagination and our hearts and prayers go out to those people who suffered so much, but people’s lives have to be rebuilt and we at Commonwealth Bank want to congratulate the (Bahamas) Red Cross on its stellar work as we present this cheque today for $100,000 to help you as you help others. We can’t make people whole but we can help get them back on their feet.”
Mr. Jennings heartfelt remarks came during a press conference at Bahamas Red Cross headquarters October 12. This was the second time that Commonwealth Bank came to the aid of the Red Cross in a major way. It made a donation of the same amount, $100,000, about the same time last year in the wake of Hurricane Joaquin. And the Red Cross was not shy in its praise for the bank.
“The Bahamas Red Cross and Commonwealth Bank have had a long-standing relationship and it is because of the corporate community and stakeholders like yourselves that we are able to do what we do and we say thank you very much,” said Bahamas Red Cross President Craig ‘Tony’ Gomez.
According to Mr. Gomez and Red Cross Director General Caroline Turnquest, the organization hoped to complete its assessment by the end of the day and said one of its most immediate needs was for bedding and mattresses to replace hundreds that were rain-soaked and tossed out.
“The Bahamas Red Cross is extremely grateful to Commonwealth Bank,” said Mrs. Turnquest. “Commonwealth Bank, the all-Bahamian bank, always comes through when the Bahamian people are in need and needs are greater now than at any other time in our history with the possible exception of those who suffered extreme emotional and property damage during Hurricane Joaquin last year.”
Early estimates placed damage from the powerful storm at well over $100 million.
Commonwealth Bank which operates branches on New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco said it extended banking hours and opened five branches on Saturday, including Freeport, after the storm passed to accommodate those who needed to access funds for emergency supplies or repairs. Mr. Jennings said the bank would not stop at the single cheque donation but was putting out donation receptacles in its branches to collect cash and goods from customers. “The staff,” he said, “many of whom suffered their own damage, have gone above and beyond, showing up to open on Saturday, looking for ways to help others even as they are digging out of the impact of the storm themselves.”
The bank with $1.5 billion in assets and some 550 staff members, said it will also work with customers impacted by the storm. Those customers are asked to contact their home branch.
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