BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Everyday Financial Heroes Promotion launched by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has extended the buzz from Financial Information Month into November, and now the public has six more days to vote for its favourite financial hero.

The initiative was launched in early October through partnership with telecommunications company LIME and multi-media organization SKNVibes, and allows members of the public to nominate individuals who, through hard work and financial prudence, have been able to improve their lives.

Planners of the project thought it necessary to highlight the success stories of the common man to encourage others to set high financial goals.

ECCB Deputy Director of Corporate Communications Sybil Welsh explained that an everyday financial hero is someone who came from humble beginnings and used “sensible money management practices” to become financially successful, as indicated through social markers such as being able to send their child or children to college, owning a home of their own or becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Although the central bank received dozens of nominations, only nine were able to make it to the finals. The keen saving and investment of Newcastle resident Anthony Jones caused him to be nominated as a financial hero and selected to be in the finals. 

Agnes Crossley of West Farm was nominated for her savings as a market vendor of over 50 years, which have now put her in a position to own property and invest in shares. Old Road fisherman, restaurateur and venture seeker Jack Spencer turned his hobby into his livelihood and now owns a thriving sea-food restaurant – accomplishments which ensured a place in the finals.

Also of Old Road, Corinne Small was nominated for her commitment to education and investment, as she now educates others on matters of homeownership and owning shares. Similarly, Joycelyn Hazel of Greenlands, a retired head teacher was nominated for her hard work and savings that granted her the opportunity to acquire her own home.

Irvin Daniel of Sandy Point is a “community activist” according to his nominators and his plumbing, livestock farming and entrepreneurial skills made him an eligible finalist. Mercyer Gumbs also made it to the finals as she operated a shop once owned by her parents and took classes so that she could be a successful entrepreneur and homeowner.

Grave sexton Desmond Manners was able to save to become a shareholder and homeowner, thus making it as a finalist in the Everyday Financial Heroes promotion. Additionally, Orvis Mills of Saddlers, who was a teacher, church leader and now an entrepreneur has been nominated and selected as a finalist.

Voters must use their LIME mobile phones and text the respective short codes to 7568 in order for the finalist of their choice to become selected as this year’s Everyday Financial Hero.

Text ‘ANT’ to vote for Anthony Jones; ‘DES’ for Desmond Manners; ‘AGN’ for Agnes Crossley; ‘JAC’ for Jack Spencer; ‘COR’ for Corinne Small; ‘JOY’ for Joycelyn Hazel; ‘IRV’ for Irvin Daniel; ‘MER’ for Mercyer Gumbs and ‘ORV’ for Orvis Mills.

There are no limits to the number of times a person can vote and the candidate receiving the highest number of votes will be named the 2009 Everyday Financial Hero and shall win prizes valued at EC $5 000.

Visit http://www.sknvibes.com/financialheroes/ to see the live voting results and to view the detailed profiles of the candidates. Voting ends on November 10, so vote for your everyday financial hero today!