WHEN the Salvation Army’s preschool graduating Class of 2018 took to the podium recently, representatives of CIBC FirstCaribbean were invited to share the stage with them.
The organisation took the opportunity to recognise the bank’s years of unbroken support.
The award for “outstanding contribution” to the organization, and in particular to the Salvation Army Child Care Centre, was presented to Branch Manager for Saint Lucia, Mrs. Smerna Pompelis, on Thursday 5 July.
With an annual intake of 70 children, the Salvation Army makes daycare and early childhood education accessible to three-month to five-year old children of economically depressed families.
Last year, the Bank’s contribution of $67,500 facilitated the upgrading of the Salvation Army Pre-School and Daycare program.
The upgrading also enabled the facility to meet Ministry of Education mandated benchmarks for the early childhood learning environment.
These addressed issues like air flow and quality, improved lighting, bathroom retrofitting and modernisation, classroom layout and furnishings and play spaces.
For the last four years, CIBC FirstCaribbean has been corporate champion of the Salvation Army’s Annual Christmas Kettle Appeal, mobilising corporate support for the drive and using its banking halls as donation collection points.
Last month, the Salvation Army Pre School being one of the two beneficiaries of the Sandals’ Foundation’s Island Vibes initiative, CIBC FirstCaribbean provided bronze sponsor support to the tune of $6,792.25.
In presenting the plaque of recognition, Captain Derrick Mitchell described the relationship between the two organisations as empowering and assuring.
“The Bank’s ready support lessened the load involved in both funding and administering the programs which make such a difference in the lives of many, like the Christmas Kettle Appeal and Food and Toy Drives, for example.
“CIBC FirstCaribbean has contributed significantly to the sustainability of our organisation’s major projects”, Captain Mitchell said, adding that the bank “is a friend indeed to our clients with their various areas of needs”
In addition to the preschool and daycare programs, the Organisation’s annual outreach programs also include a daily meal feeding program for the disadvantaged, monthly delivery of food baskets and parcels to the needy, a thrift shop which makes recycled clothing, furniture and household items available to needy families, emergency disaster services and outreach to housebound, disadvantaged elderly, sick and shut-in persons.
Last week, the Bank also facilitated a presentation on financial literacy for the Salvation Army’s Women’s Home League Camp — a grouping which develops the potential of women to positively influence family, friends and community and equip them for personal growth and to support them on issues which affect particularly women and their families.
The Salvation Army has been operating in Saint Lucia since 1902.
Currently there are approximately 70 children enrolled in the two programs.
The Saint Lucia Chapter of the Salvation Army was established in 1972, and has, for the past 45 years been delivering on its mission to exemplify Christian love through social support. (CIBC)