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TCI: Generous support pouring in for Autism Classroom, more needed to rescue the site

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#TurksandCaicos, January 12, 2018 – Providenciales – The outpouring of financial and moral support for the mission to raise a year’s worth of operational funds for the Hope Foundation for Autism Awareness special classroom is described as generous by the founders, as the organization moves steadily toward its ultimate goal.

Maxcia Rigby, Director of the Hope Foundation today said to Magnetic Media, “I think it’s going well, we have raised over a thousand dollars on the link and there is more to come from people who have pledged to support at the end of the month.”

The story of the financial shortfall of the classroom broke just over a week ago and an appeal for assistance has attracted comments and reviews from thousands of people both in the Turks and Caicos and abroad.

“We’ve also gotten a few more contacts internationally and this will open the door for more support and possibly someone adopting us.”

It takes $60,000 a year to run the Autism classroom, which is located at the Mills Institute in Juba Sound, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.   Almando and Maxcia Rigby, who started the Hope Foundation when they were confronted with autism in their second son, Isreal have taken what could have remained a personal challenge and made it a national blessing.

“When Isreal was diagnosed with autism at the age of three we didn’t know what to do.   As a mother I felt confused and depressed.   My whole pregnancy played out in my mind.  I figured I did something wrong.   However also as a mother I couldn’t stay in this state very long.  I realized that my son needed me.  I needed to find out how I could help him and surely there were others like me who knew what to do.  I sought out information on the world wide web and I started thinking, what if I shared everything I knew with others.   How could I just help my son, what about other children and families right here in TCI affected by this? I had my family and friends who were supporting me, what about people who didn’t have this?  Hope could be that for them!   About a year after Isreal’s diagnosis, we started Hope.”

A generous heart was the impetus for this organisation launching in the first place, and more generous support is what will keep it going.  Magnetic Media’s observation of this amazing family and their devotion to their cause is what led to the idea that anyone could ‘Pay a Day’ to save the classroom.  For $160.00 USD, a person or family could pay for a day of operations at the school; the goal is to get 365 like-minded people to come forward with cash.

Hope’s Director is grateful for the campaign and shared that there have been major strides for the special education room, including an integration of students into ​mainstream ​school.

“We started the year with eight children; seven boys and one girl, including my son Isreal and two teachers.  That week I took my vacation from work to be at the room but it was a challenge even with the three of us there.  The teachers worked tirelessly and eventually they settled down.  Parents and children loved the room and by the following term we started to introduce interactions with Mills Institute.  The children started attending devotions, sports events, presented at the Christmas concert and even the Spelling BEE!  In 2016 one of our students got 1st place in the K2 Spelling Bee and another got 2nd place in the grade one Spelling Bee!  Our teachers work so hard and our students have grown so much in this room.  We had two students who transitioned to mainstream school and one who is taking Math classes without an aide.”

It would be a tragedy to allow this service to our children and families living, coping and overcoming the hurdles of Autism to have to close down.   Due to the overwhelming requests, there is now an online way to support; follow this link and share this story so that we together, can save the all-important  Hope Autism​ ​Classroom.

#MagneticMediaNews

#HopeFoundation

#PayaDayforHope

 

Bahamas News

Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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Bahamas News

 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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Bahamas News

CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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