The Tribune

EIGHT months after the devastating Hurricane Joaquin, Long Island’s community centres are being restored to full working order thanks to the support of the Sandals Foundation.

The Foundation initiated a campaign across all its properties, which received great response from team members and guests, to assist with the island’s recovery. The initial response focused on getting much needed items such as water, non-perishable food and school supplies after the category four storm struck the southern islands of the Bahamas in October, resulting in severe damage and leaving hundreds of people homeless and without basic supplies.

The Foundation committed to three major projects in Long Island - the rebuilding of the Senior Citizens’ Home, repairs to the Long Island branch of the Cancer Society and to furnish and equip the Resource Centre that serves the entire island.

On June 30, the Foundation made two official handovers, to the Senior Citizens Centre and the Cancer Society, after donations of over $40,000.

The Senior Citizens Centre and Home for the Elderly had been destroyed by the hurricane following an expansion three months earlier. The Sandals Foundation lobbied and raised funds to complete repairs and purchase all the furniture and appliances needed to get the Centre re-opened. The Recreation Centre’s normal function is to cater to all seniors free of charge five days a week and has been in operation since 2008 through sponsorship by The Ladies’ Friendship Club of Long Island assisted by the Department of Social Services.

Olivia Turnquest, President of the Ladies’ Friendship Club of Long Island, expressed the club’s gratitude to the Foundation. “On viewing the damage to the Seniors’ Centre and Home for The Elderly after the hurricane, we were devastated,” she said. “The Home for The Elderly, which was just completed and ready for occupancy, was severely damaged and our funds were depleted. We knew it was going to be very difficult as we depend on donations and fundraising for our projects. How could we recover? Then came hope from a most unexpected source, Sandals Foundation. We saw light at the end of a dark tunnel. We, the Ladies’ Friendship Club of Long Island, will be forever grateful for your generous donation.”

Based on the understanding of the value and services provided by the Long Island branch of the Cancer Society, the Foundation responded with urgency. The property was badly damaged and required funding of over $10,000 to cover roof repairs and replacement, damaged interior walls and windows as well as being painted.

The Foundation bought equipment including computers, monitors, laptops, printers and scanners valued at over $6,100 to equip the Resource Centre that the Ministry of Education had undertaken to repair. Through the collaborated efforts of the Ministry and the Foundation, the Resource Centre can now be restored to normal operation with upgraded facilities. The Centre is utilised as a Service, Library and Research Centre for educators and offers community members services such as laminating, copying, reproduction of GLAT, BJC and BGCSE exam papers and production of programmes for district events.