Bahamas News
Bahamas Feeding Network Thanks Royal Caribbean for ‘Awesome’ Cruise
#TheBahamas, June 2, 2022 – More than 100 men, women and children – the volunteers of Bahamas Feeding Network (BFN) and their families – today thanked Royal Caribbean International for what one called “an awesome cruise with memories that will last until eternity.”
The 100+ cruisers were guests of honour aboard Freedom of the Seas for a complimentary four-day cruise that took them from the Port of Miami to Nassau, Perfect Day at CocoCay and back to Miami.
BFN Chairman Felix Stubbs lauded Royal Caribbean International for its generous gift to the volunteers.
“Royal Caribbean continues to demonstrate commitment to its partnership with Bahamas Feeding Network. I express profound gratitude to Royal Caribbean on behalf of the Network’s Board of Directors,” Stubbs said. “These volunteers give of their time tirelessly and we are so grateful that Royal Caribbean recognizes their service to community and rewarded it in this memorable way.”
The Network’s Executive Director Lester Ferguson agreed.
“Corporate friendships like the one we share with Royal Caribbean are essential to the progress of our work,” said Ferguson. “We are both heavily vested in our community, so it’s great when can work together to achieve the
common good. We’re simply better together.”
Former Executive Director Philip Smith who still serves on the Board and who accompanied the volunteers said, “Royal Caribbean International has always been the most incredible partner for the Bahamas Feeding Network. But treating more than 100 people to a cruise – wow, that is an unbelievable show of generosity and kindness and something that the tireless volunteers of Bahamas Feeding Network will never forget.”
Royal Caribbean International executives and crew have visited BFN, volunteering themselves, and shoring up a bond that began four years ago with RCI President & CEO Michael Bayley serving the community and those who came from afar in search of a hot meal and the warmth of friendship.
Since then, the cruise line has been a constant partner, living up to its commitment to donate $400,000 in 2020 at the height of COVID although its ships were anchored and there was no revenue. In the same year, they also donated 21 forty-foot containers of frozen meat. That donation was worth nearly $800,000.
For Distribution and Volunteer Coordinator Recina ‘Scully’ Ferguson, who has been at the heart of the volunteer organization since its inception in 2013, the cruise was more than a celebration. It was an opportunity to find freedom and rejuvenate.
“It was an awesome trip. The service was on point, it was excellent. I appreciate Royal Caribbean so highly,” said Ms. Ferguson, the former educator who Smith credits with working non-stop. “The ship was named Freedom of the Seas and that is what I felt, freedom. I felt like a heavy weight was lifted off me for that four-day cruise. I’m raring to get back to feeding those in need and making sure no one goes hungry who we can help.”
The Bahamas Feeding Network recently moved into its new home, two doors south of its former location. In January, Lester Ferguson succeeded Smith as the second executive director of the NGO which helps to provide more than 60,000 meals per month through its 97 feeding program partners, fulfilling its mission to provide a central hub for donations and assistance, maximizing resources in order to create a sustainable solution to poverty and help eradicate hunger in the Bahamas.
Release: DPA News
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.
