The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

IN the spirit of giving back, Kelly’s Freeport Ltd generously donated and installed a brand new kitchen at the Grand Bahama Children’s Home.

Lynn Lowe, managing director at Kelly’s, said she was very touched when she visited the home and saw the tremendous need there.

There has been a significant increase in the number of children residents at the home, with occupancy reaching up to 31. And of that number, 14 are children under the age of four.

After recently visiting the home, Mrs Lowe said that Kelly’s is committed to do everything it can to help.

“We called them and asked if they wanted a kitchen and they said they would love it. We had our contractors come and take out the old kitchen and installed the new one, and they are excited.

“We are very happy to add some excitement to the home through the kitchen renovation project. The new kitchen looks amazing,” she said.

In addition to the kitchen project, Kelly’s has also assisted in transforming and improving the home’s computer room by installing new countertops as workstations for all the computers.

This comes just in time for the upcoming school term, as the computer room is where the children go for tutoring and to complete their homework assignments.

Although Kelly’s has always donated to the home in the past, Mrs Lowe said her first visit was during the kitchen renovation project.

“I had never been here before. I was blown away by the whole experience of being here,” she said. “All the kids were here and it really is eye opening to know there are children that cannot be cared for under normal circumstances.

“I met all of the aides and the people who take care of them. I cried because it was very touching that these children will have, although it is not completely normal, a life given to them by the benefit of other people in the community.

“Kelly’s has always been one to give back to the community as much as we can when we see a need. We have always done things for them before, but coming here and experiencing what happens on a daily basis and struggles for food, diapers, and clothes, and I kind of made a pact to do everything we can do.”

Mrs Lowe said they have now started a food drive at Kelly’s in an effort to also get the community involved in assisting the home.

“We want to get other people in the community to realise what goes on there and to help as much as they can,” she said.

Jean Hivert, treasurer at the Grand Bahama Children’s Home Committee, commended Kelly’s for the donation.

“I think it is an awesome donation from Mrs Lowe and Kelly’s. The kitchen was falling apart and we had done some work trying to patch it up without much success. This is a very welcomed gift.”

Ms Hivert said that the committee has put appeals out on Facebook for assistance. She said they are in need of baby supplies.

“We have 14 babies and we need lots of (diapers) and baby food. We want to thank people who have brought cribs also,” she said.

Lynne Fraino, human resources and marketing manager at Kelly’s, is encouraging the community to donate food items, especially snacks for school.

She said Kelly’s will be collecting donations during the months of August and September.