By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE Grand Bahama Shipyard and its employees are donating $42,000 towards hurricane relief and rebuilding efforts in the southern Bahamas.
Katherine Smith, director of HR and community relations, said the employees had given one hour of their salary, raising $21,000, which was then matched by the company.
“We are extremely pleased that the staff really responded to the challenge,” she said. “It is really about what they did.”
Mrs Smith said the staff were distraught after learning of the devastation in the southern islands and were enthusiastic to help. She said they all went willingly to have the money deducted from their salary.
Byron Duncombe, a shipyard worker, said they were very pleased to help in this way. “This was an excellent way to help and I wish we could do more, because we in Grand Bahama have been there before and we know what is like,” he said.
Hurricane Joaquin ravaged Long Island, Crooked Island, Cat Island, San Salvador, and Acklins last month. Crooked Island has been deemed a disaster area and residents have been evacuated to New Providence.
Acting CEO Reuben Byrd said that when they learned about the devastation in the southern islands, they felt the need to do something. “We put a challenge out to the staff to raise funds and whatever they raised, we would match. They were very successful with donating $21,000 and we matched that, and so $42,000 will go down to the islands to help with rebuilding,” he said.
Mr Byrd stressed that it is important to pull together and lend a helping hand in times of disaster. “Everybody has got to help each other especially in situations like this; a nature disaster is not something that anybody plans for and no matter how much insurance you have, it is not going to cover the loss,” he said.
Mr Byrd said that he would like to see more industrial companies in The Bahamas to reach out to those in need, adding the shipyard is very big on giving back to the community through its various fundraising events.
According to Mr Byrd, the shipyard is projecting very strong bookings to the end of December. “We have lots of bookings and very few unsold dock days so business is good and we are looking forward to a prosperous 2016.”
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