Bahamas News
GB Disaster Relief Foundation & SBP Bahamas donate $450,000 for home repair program
#TheBahamas, April 13, 2022 – The Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation (GBDRF), a charitable organization founded by the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), and funded entirely by private donations, is launching a new home repair initiative. The program, which begins Easter Monday, April 18, 2022, will assist those in our communities who are still recovering from the long-term impacts of Hurricane Dorian.
The GBDRF and SBP are donating $450,000 to the new home repair program, which will employ local licensed contractors to restore fifty homes throughout the island. The program will be targeting the elderly, the disabled, and single mothers with children. Said Ian Rolle, GBDRF Director, “Our hearts go out to our fellow residents of Grand Bahama who are still challenged by the after-effects of the storm, as well as coping with the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic on our economy.” He continued, “SBP has really shown what it means to be our brother’s keeper. We are grateful for their partnership to provide relief efforts not only to homes in Freeport, but also in the Eastern and Western ends of Grand Bahama.”
Formed in 2019, the GBDRF has provided more than $2.6 million on local aid, and partnerships with NGOs and volunteers. GBDRF Home Pilot Program, in partnership with SBP, renovated homes on West Pioneers Way, Clark Avenue, Explorers Way, Rum Cay Place, and Hyde Park Drive areas at a cost of $622,000. GBDRF also supported the local Rotary Muck and Gut Program donating $100,000 towards materials for interior walls and roof repairs, and labor costs for forty-one homes in East Coral Estates (Pioneers Loop). 
The GBDRF Home Repair Program sourced furniture and appliances from a resort in Orlando valued at $2.5 million and funded all shipping and clearing costs amounting to $857,000. Some 300 families were supplied with stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, living and bedroom sets, entertainment centers, televisions, patio furniture and more. GBDRF also donated $15,000 to the Rich Halpern Home Repair Program, $3,000 to the Pastor Eddie Victor Home Repair Program, $155,000 to SBP’s Mold Remediation Program, and $15,000 to the Queens Cove Clean Up Project.
After the first lockdown, the GBDRF Feeding Program provided 800 food boxes at a cost of $70,000, and was pleased to support their distribution with Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Urban Renewal, Social Services, the Aids Foundation, the Council for the Disabled, and all the senior care homes in Grand Bahama. GBDRF further partnered with Reach Out Youth Ministries giving $1,000 per week to support their ongoing feeding program, which provided baby food and diapers to 500 mothers and children, 700 grocery bags, and food distribution to 1,500 people. The foundation donated $25,000 to the Government’s Feeding Program, $10,000 to Meals on Wheels, and distributed food and hygiene kits to 120 churches led by Pastor Eddie Victor. Additionally, $84,000 was spent to employ several individuals to work in distribution, clean up and home repair initiatives.
Describing the new home repair initiative, Andy Stofleth, SBP Executive Director – Caribbean said, “This is part of our long-term recovery effort. We’ve been here two and a half years and we’re still rebuilding. 400 families have been welcomed back into their homes through the efforts of SBP, GBDRF, GBPA and other organizations that have bonded since Dorian. Our mission is to provide fast, efficient building services to those who are vulnerable in our community, to help them get back on their feet.”
“We are thankful to SBP for their continued partnership, and the tremendous work they have done in our communities.” said Sarah St. George, GBDRF Chairman. “Those who are still in need are very much in our thoughts. We will continue to find ways to help.” Karla McIntosh, GBDRF Executive Director reiterated, “We want to be able to help the residents of Grand Bahama in any form that we can. I also wish to use this opportunity as a plea to Corporate Grand Bahama, and individuals to donate to the foundation, so that we can continue to be a blessing to others.”
For those who wish to donate, please visit our website at https://gbdisasterrelief.org/donations/.
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.
