The Tribune

TWO community organisations representing the young and the old of Grand Bahama have received essential relief supplies thanks to a partnership between the Ministry for Grand Bahama and The Faith Centre of Sunrise, Florida.

Among the supplies given to Columbus House were two generators, a large supply of water, and Christmas boxes while the Burrows Home received donations of blankets and toiletries.

In two separate brief ceremonies, Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville thanked Pastor of The Faith Centre Bishop Henry Fernandez for his gifts to the Grand Bahama community. “These essential supplies will go a long way as we prepare for the Christmas holidays and as the kids at Columbus House prepare for the re-opening of school in January,” Dr Darville said.

This marks the second trip to Grand Bahama for Bishop Fernandez. A week earlier, Dr Darville and representatives from the Ministry of Grand Bahama and the Ministry of Tourism were in Fort Lauderdale as guests of Bishop Fernandez and The Faith Centre. It was during that visit that Bishop Fernandez made an appeal to his church membership for financial donations to assist Grand Bahama following the devastation of Hurricane Matthew.

During the presentation to Columbus House, the local arm of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) presented supplies to the Grand Bahama Red Cross, including blankets, radio and eating utensils.

In a surprise gesture, Bishop Fernandez made a promise to the owner of the Burrows Home for the Aged, Irene Burrows, to send a cheque every month to help defray the cost of the home’s electricity bill.

“NEMA, through the Ministry of Grand Bahama, has assessed the damage to the Burrows Home and we are going to partner with them to make sure that the structural integrity of the home is well-kept and all of the damage that took place from Hurricane Matthew are repaired as soon as possible,” said Dr Darville.

As part of collaboration with the Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism, Bishop Fernandez and the Faith Centre will host a second annual religious conference in Freeport, Grand Bahama, called ‘Faith Fest’. The purpose of the conference, scheduled for March, will be spiritual rejuvenation and physical relaxation.

Some 21 countries are expected to take part at next year’s conference, which will include hundreds of visitors to Grand Bahama Island.