Bahamas News
Carnival Corporation Signs MOU to Assist Restoration of Grand Bahama’s Rand Memorial Hospital
#Nassau, November 8, 2019 – Bahamas – Carnival Corporation & PLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Health and the Public Hospitals Authority to assist with funding flood damage repairs as well as basic restoration efforts to the Rand Memorial Hospital, Grand Bahama. The MOU was signed at the Ministry of Health, Thursday, November 7, 2019.
Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Duane Sands explained that at the Rand, one of the major healthcare facilities here in The Bahamas, there was a significant problem with black water flooding, so much so that about 70 per cent of the square footage of the hospital was put out of commission.
In the meantime, he noted that acute care services for the most part are provided in the field hospital right across the street.
Dr. Sands said Carnival Corporation, which has been “an integral part of our tourism product and that has found The Bahamas to be their home,” recognized the challenge with the Rand Memorial Hospital and health services in Grand Bahama in general, so they decided to partner with the Ministry of Health and the Public Hospitals Authority to help remediate the challenges at the Rand.
“So together with at least one other organization, Direct Relief, the Carnival Corporation has committed to remediating the damage to the Rand Memorial Hospital to get it back up and running and also to re-equip the hospital.”
The Minister said it is hoped that the work will be completed by the end of March 2020, which is the end of Samaritan’s Purse International Relief Organization’s engagement. The Organization has been delivering healthcare services on the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama since the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.
Senior Vice-President, Carnival Corporation, Capt. Michael Kaczmarek stated that the Government requested two things from the company: re-starting their business back on the island of Grand Bahama and to The Bahamas, as well some help with the hospital.
Capt. Kaczmarek said that Carnival took a look at the hospital and realized that it had taken substantial flooding damage; shortly after that they offered the government help to stabilize the situation and do some basic remediation for the hospital.
“We have a long relationship with The Bahamas and we feel as partners that it just makes sense for us to be able to help out in these areas where we can.”
The Senior Vice-President explained that the actual cost of the work is uncertain at this time, but it is substantial, and there is also time pressure because of the potential for mould.
He also noted that while a few specialists will be coming from Puerto Rico where they are doing similar work, most of the work should be completed by volunteers from Grand Bahama shipyard.
Also in attendance at MOU signing were Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Marco Rolle; Managing Director, PHA, Catherine Weech; Vice-President, Global Ports and Caribbean Government Relations, Carnival Corporation, Marie McKenzie; and Acting Director of Nursing, Gina Dean.
By Llonella Gilbert
Release: BIS
Photo Caption:
Header: Carnival Corporation & PLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Health and the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), November 7, 2019 at the Ministry of Health to fund and support flood damage repairs, and basic restoration efforts, to Rand Memorial Hospital. Signing were Vice-President, Global Ports and Caribbean Government Relations, Carnival Corporation, Marie McKenzie and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Marco Rolle. Looking on is Managing Director, PHA, Catherine Weech.
Insert: Minister of Health the Hon. Dr. Duane Sands (standing centre) led press conference with officials from the Ministry of Health and the PHA, along with executives of Carnival Corporation & PLC after the MOU signing.
(BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
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.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
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!
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.
