BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - ANOTHER entity coming under the umbrella of the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) has made a substantial donation towards the Federation’s relief effort in assisting storm-ravaged Haiti.
Financial institution Scotia Bank yesterday (Oct. 20) handed over a cheque to the tune of $2,500 to the President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Jose Rosa, to assist in garnering food and other supplies for the French-speaking country.
The venture started three weeks ago when the Chamber sent an email to all its members indicating that they were looking for contributions to assist those impacted by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti.
Based on that email, a number of commercial entities responded by making donations, and this Rosa noted formed part of that contingent.
“The response has been amazing. We are going to be sending two full 40-foot containers by Crowley, which has helped us in putting the containers together," Rosa said.
Rosa thanked those institutions that partnered with the Chamber in getting the supplies, noting that it was not only companies coming under that umbrella body but also individuals and corporations that are non-members.
“I think this gesture talks very highly about our country and what we can do when others are in need. Like I would have said before, it is not about the size of the country, rather, it is about the character of the country. And today we definitely showed the difference that we can do for other persons in other countries.”
This gesture was part of the bank’s internal effort to raise funds to assist, and according to Country Head and General Manager of Scotia Bank St. Kitts and Nevis, Dave Ramsumair, staff at the financial institution came together “to do whatever little we could to help the cause in Haiti”.
“My heart was truly overwhelmed by the generosity of the staff, and together we raised close to five thousand dollars, which would be split between the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of St. Kitts,” Ramsumair intimated.
He commended both the CIC and the Rotary Club for the initiative they have undertaken to put together the two containers of items for the Haitian people.
According to Rosa, they received a number of non-perishable food items, fruits, construction materials and clothing.
The containers are scheduled to leave the Federation shortly and are expected to arrive in Haiti by next Wednesday.
Haiti was hard hit by Hurricane Matthew earlier this month, which left in its wake over 800 persons dead and others without homes or a place to shelter.
