Rotary raises close to $150K for Bahamas through telethon
The Rotary Clubs of the British Virgin Islands were able to almost triple their initial goal of raising $50,000 at their recent telethon, which was held to raise funds to assist residents of The Bahamas who fell victim to Hurricane Dorian.
Assistant Governor and former President of the Rotary Club of Tortola Lorna Smith said that numbers were gradually increasing up to the point she spoke to our news centre.
“It is in excess of $143,000 and the figures are still rolling in. We got funds from children. There were children who called in $5 and $20 and we were so grateful for that. One of the things we said is that every penny counts whether it was $1, $10, $100 or $1,000,” Smith stated.
The damage The Bahamas sustained is estimated to be in excess of $8 billion and Smith thanked all who were involved in contributing to close in on that mammoth sum.
“We are very grateful to the people of the British Virgin Islands who are a very generous set of persons and always rising to the occasion. This is the third or fourth telethon that we have done and the people of the BVI has not disappointed us,” Smith added.
Efforts to continue
She further said the fundraising efforts will continue and is encouraging persons to donate whatever monies they can to help with the cause.
“This is the first step. We are going to have other projects because the Bahamians have lost a lot. As their Prime Minister would have stated, it is a generational devastation and a generational recovery so it’s going to take a long time for those islands that were impacted to get back to where they were before Hurricane Dorian.”
Meanwhile, Past Rotary District Governor Vance Lewis assured that all monies collected will have a direct impact on improving lives of persons living in The Bahamas.
“There are eight Rotary Clubs in the Bahamas and they have themselves organised in a way that they can actually put this money to work straight on the grounds to the areas which it is needed,” Lewis stated.
Also present at the telethon was Governor Augustus Jaspert, Acting Premier and Past President of the Rotary Club of Road Town Vincent Wheatley, Rotary 7020 District Governor Delma Maduro, Past Assistant Governor Gerry Farara, President of Rotary Club of St Thomas II Dr Jerry Smith and Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor Sharleen Dabreo-Lettsome.
Premier Andrew Fahie who is currently out of the territory also made his presence felt by calling during the telethon to encourage persons to pledge and donate.
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and as soon as they raised it Bahamas gets nearly $11 mil from insurance
Good for them, they have 80k people homeless
Bet this money never makes it to victims in the Bahamas.
@evil people ( that’s you) If you was involved it wouldn’t. However why you care? Ain’t like you donated. Let those who donated worry about that!
BVI have persons here still going through terrible hardship since Hurricane Irma in 2017. Persons don’t have jobs, money to pay bills, nor provide for their children. Rotary is not addressing that, but they’re looking recognition by raising funds for Bahamas. CTL did not give us a break on their prices, but they’re donating to Bahamas. While I sympathize and empathize the Bahamian people, we must remember that Charity begins at home. Be genuine, and help the people of the BVI who are suffering and barely making it through each day before you raise money to seek Global recognition.
Not mentioning our primary school are still in shambles….smh. Some of these primary schools still don’t have a ceiling…. im not saying at all that help is not needed and that we shouldn’t assist we should but at home like Well Sah said still needs a lot of help
And so what?11 Million is joke,
BVI have persons here still going through terrible hardship since Hurricane Irma in 2017. Persons don’t have jobs, money to pay bills, nor provide for their children. Rotary is not addressing that, but they’re looking recognition by raising funds for Bahamas. CTL did not give us a break on their prices, but they’re donating to Bahamas. While I sympathize and empathize the Bahamian people, we must remember that Charity begins at home. Be genuine, and help the people of the BVI who are suffering and barely making it through each day before you raise money to seek Global recognition.
The actual definition of BEING A HATER:
Acting upset because you don’t have something another person has. Being jealous and having an envious heart. Acting like you are right now about money. Greed.
Bahamas has over 2x the entire BVI population homeless right now. And you’re worried about a telethon raising charity for them and not you, even though your storm was two years ago and theirs was two weeks? SHAME ON YOU
Well done The Bahamas deserves the assistance. Just like how the Rotary etc can raise money you’ll can to as well. If the people you’re calling friends etc really love you they will help you and support your cause and push the cause. If not time to find new friends.
Rotary has done a lot and continues to help the people of the BVI- before, during, and after Irma. Your comment is extremely selfish and callous.
It’s nice and good to hear the pledges but hope people actually honour their word and PAY UP.
Can y’all pick a major job in the Territory and raises funds in another telethon for the support of the BVI…something…that $150,000 could go a long way with volunteers to restore something that was damaged by Irma.
2 years ago we were crying and hollering at anyone who would listen to us, we lost everything lots of us said but we were thankful that we had life. At that point we only know of 2 deaths and we marveled at the utter destruction we saw, people from near and far came to the aid of the BVI lead By ROTARY in the BVI the Caribbean including the Bahama and world wide, we were placed on our knees but now we are back on our feet not all of us but most of us. We were selfish before but some of us are worst now.
Rotary and the BVI community did an honorable thing by donating what we can to people who are not on their knees by on their backs, there is not a more honorable service than giving even though you yourself is in need. Rotary has always been a reputable entity and 100% of funds collected go directly to the cause it was collected for. people need to stop being so full of hate and remember that could be us!! the hurricane season has not yet ended.