OneMart honours local non-profits during 35th anniversary celebration

The atmosphere at OneMart Superstore in Purcell Estate was bursting with a feeling of thanksgiving and celebration yesterday as the company donated cash to three organisations to celebrate its 35th anniversary of operation in the territory.

The company also announced it will be presenting gift certificates to current and previous long-serving employees who played a major role in the success and continuation of the superstore.

The gift certificates will grant them shares in the company and allow them to become stakeholders.

The President of K-Mark’s Food (1996) Ltd, the parent company of OneMart, Mark Vanterpool handed out three checks of $3,500 to the BVI Health Service Authority, the BVI Family Support Network, and the BVI Red Cross.

“The first check we want to offer today is to the BVI Health Service Authority. We were trying to figure out how to do something special for this group who were there for us during this pandemic. They’ve been with us through thick and thin. They’ll celebrate two zeros on a 35. Thirty-five hundred dollars to the BVI Health Services Authority. So, thank you guys for being there for us,” said Vanterpool who is also the Fourth District Representative.

“I want to acknowledge some of the people who’ve been really good through this time. We’ve worked with them in the stores. When the lockdown was happening, seven o’clock they called in the evening ‘Honourable Vanterpool can you open the store to get this or that’. They come into the store and get some baskets and get food to the people who need it. The Family Support Network, who will receive another $3,000,” he added.

The businessman and legislator also had high praises for the BVI Red Cross who he said has been working thanklessly through the pandemic to help provide emergency services to the people of the Virgin Islands.

“These are people you don’t see in great glory but they are behind the scenes working. We want to thank the Red Cross for being there with us this past year and a half in the pandemic,” Vanterpool said in handing over the check.

Vanterpool also named several current employees who have given service to the company ranging from 11 to 32 years who will receive shares in the company.

“This year, our 35th year, we want to acknowledge the hard work of our team and make them an official part of OneMart. A number of workers in our company will become shareholders of the company in a very short time. This is a certificate that will let them know they will become a part of the company as of today,” Vanterpool stated.

“Some of our former employees who were helpful to us in this journey, we want to recognize and thank them and let them know that we are grateful for their involvement,” he added.

Vanterpool also said there will be a giveaway of two Hyundai Grand i10 cars for customers who have spent $50 or more. He said one winner will come from Tortola and the other will be from one of the sister islands. There will also be nightly prize winners for customers from December 13-24 in OneMart’s ’12 days of Christmas’ promotion.

The grand draw for the two cars will be held on Christmas Eve.