BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – In every community there are individuals who are often overlooked while making selfless contributions to improve the lives of others. This year, First Caribbean International Bank is giving you another opportunity to nominate these ‘Unsung Heroes’.
In 2003 the First Caribbean Unsung Heroes programme was launched as an effort to identify and acknowledge ordinary people throughout the Caribbean who commit themselves to meaningful service in their community without consideration for reward or recognition.
The Unsung Heroes programme not only seeks to provide financial support to these individuals, but according to Country Coordinator Gerard Pereira, it is also brings attention to many causes and upholds these persons as “examples for the various communities by the work that they do”.
“First Caribbean is of the view that many deserving causes and important projects miss out on financial and other support simply because people don’t know that they exist…. These Unsung Heroes who seek no fame or reward make the lives of the disadvantaged and underprivileged in this region so much better,” Pereira noted in yesterday’s (Apr. 26) media launch at the Ocean Terrace Inn.
To be nominated as an ‘Unsung Hero’, individuals must be dedicated beyond the ordinary toward social improvement and must be Caribbean persons. The individual and his/her cause must have no or low media profile and could benefit from the exposure. He/she must be willing to participate in public relations programmes and his/her work must fit into First Caribbean’s brand promise of ‘Enriching our Communities Together’.
Government agencies, political groups, registered charities, religious movement and established service groups are not eligible for nomination. Also, the nominees must be individuals and not groups of persons. Finalists in the previous programme cannot be nominated and individuals with high media profiles, including personalities and politicians, are excluded from the First Caribbean initiative.
Persons can nominate an individual by completing an Unsung Heroes Nomination form available at the local branch or on the company website. The deadline for nominations is June 30, 2010.
As outlined by Pereira, at the end of nominations a country committee comprised of bank representatives and community leaders will select the country finalist based on specific criteria. The country winner will be announced in October of this year and will be rewarded with a prize of US $6000.
On the regional level, a panel of judges will select the top three Unsung Heroes and the regional Unsung Hero will not only bring the necessary attention to his/her cause but will also walk away with US $7500. Regional runners-up will each receive US $5000.
‘Unsung Heroes’ live and work throughout the Caribbean, but through this programme their work does not have to remain unnoticed. Complete a form and support your community’s Unsung Heroes today!
