The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SCHOOLS and youth organisations are benefitting from the proceeds of a record annual Grand Bahama Shipyard fishing tournament, with over $90,000 in cash donations made this week to recipients on the island.

Eight Mile Rock High School received $40,000; Sir Charles Hayward Library, Grand Bahama Youth Choir and the Grand Bahama Children’s Home were given $14,000 each; and the St Georges High and the Jack Hayward High schools received $7,000 each.

The shipyard’s annual fishing tournament is a major fundraiser and this year the company was able to raise “more funds than ever before”.

Katherine Smith, the shipyard’s Director of Human Resources and Community Relations, said the company’s community relations efforts are always based on assisting the youth in the community through sports, education, arts, and culture.

Ms Smith said that the company was pleased to donate funds to towards the technical training programmes at the Jack Hayward High and St George’s High schools, where most of their apprentices come from.

She also noted that funds donated to the Grand Bahama Youth Choir and the Sir Charles Hayward Library will help with upgrades to their facilities. The donation to the Children’s Home will help with monthly bills and the purchase of food.

In addition to the donations, Mrs Smith said the shipyard donated $40,000 to Eight Mile Rock High school towards the purchase of a new school bus.

Yvonne Ward, Principal of Jack Hayward High School, said the donation would greatly benefit students in their technical programme. “This year we are going to reintroduce our welding programme, so this donation is very timely,” she said.

Sheila Smith, Administrator of Grand Bahama Children’s Home, said funding is “desperately needed” at the local orphanage. “We are thrilled about this donation,” she said. “This comes at a perfect time for us as we’ve just prepared our children to head back to school.”

Reuben Byrd, Acting president and COO at the shipyard, said the company recognised the need of each organisation. “When we host this event, we want to do our best to help the Grand Bahama community as much as we can. We know that supporting these youth programmes and helping with education will help prepare students for their various careers,” he said.

For more information on the fishing tournament visit grandbahamashipyard.com/fishing or the Grand Bahama Shipyard’s Facebook page.