As has been the tradition for a number of years, CIBC FirstCaribbean helped to launch the Salvation Army’s annual Kettle Appeal with a seed donation in the amount of $4,500. The CIBC FirstCaribbean donation has become the symbolic start of the two-month fundraising drive through which the Salvation Army provides Christmas hampers and toys to families.
The bank also joined forces with the Community Relations Branch (CRB) of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) to maintain the RSLPF CRB now fourteen-year-old tradition of Christmas outreach. Since 2008, the RSLPF CRB has been bringing cheer to elderly retired police officers, students, sick and shut-ins through the delivery of holiday hampers. CIBC FirstCaribbean made a similar contribution of $4,500 to this effort.
In kicking off the 2022 Salvation Army Kettle, CIBC FirstCaribbean Credit Manager Nigella Fevrier-Barnette said that the appearance of red kettles outside major supermarkets islandwide from the beginning of November has become “as traditional as black cake and sorrel, as has the bank’s role as ‘the first leg of the relay’. By starting strong, our hope is that the rest of the corporate sector and those who come across the red kettle will help the Salvation Army to finish strong.”
Mrs. Barnette noted the role the Salvation Army plays in living out the Christian values of love, sharing and hope. “CIBC FirstCaribbean is proud to reinforce these very important values. We see it as perpetuating a tradition which elevates our humanity and enriches our communities. Just as the Christ’s birth is a symbol of hope for us of Christian faith, we believe that this annual donation to the kettle drive is a symbol of hope and light to the beneficiaries of Salvation Army.”
The Ministry of Equity also partners with the Salvation Army to ensure that Christmas hampers reach homes where they are most needed. Deliveries take place in the days leading up to Christmas Day.
The RSLPF’s theme for this year is Delivering Christmas cheer, one hamper at a time. Beneficiaries of the RSLPF CRB drive will receive their hampers on December 23rd.