The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Senator Michael Pintard and a team of volunteers from Marco City have spearheaded a major hurricane relief initiative, visiting 900 households in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew to assess and document the needs of residents.

The initiative was organised in phases and soon grew into a partnership with service clubs, religious organisations, NGOs, and government organisations, private businesses, and residents. Food items, building supplies and generators were delivered to those severely affected by the storm.

“We took to the streets the day following the passing of Hurricane Matthew and visited more than 900 homes and documented needs,” Mr Pintard, the former Free National Movement party chairman, said.

The team distributed boxes of food, tarpaulins/plastic, portable stoves, baby products, more than 450 gallons of water, limited bottles of ice, cooking gas, and more.

In addition to delivering supplies, Mr Pintard and the team also took time to share crucial information about assistance available through private and government organisations and give advice on how to deal with insurers, a repair plan and provided important telephone numbers to residents.

They also provided gas for generators and loaned portable generators - courtesy of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and Cyril Minnis - to residents, as well as provided generators to construction workers who assisted residents with getting their lives back to normal.

The group also donated property cleaning tools, including a chainsaw, wheel barrow, garbage bags, gloves, masks, rakes, etc. Churches were supplied with tarpaulins and plastic to prevent further water damage.

Mr Pintard also collaborated with the Kiwanis Club, including Lieutenant Governor Benjamin White, Nerika Burrows, Karen Johnson and the Freeport Kiwanis Clubs, as they conducted their assessments and hurricane emergency supply distribution from Freeport to West End.

He said gift certificates were distributed to residents to shop at Cost Right or Solomon’s. Mr Pintard said that phase three will involve the rebuilding of homes, businesses, and the community.

“We have entered into arrangement with contractors and landscaping crews to assist with reconstruction and landscaping. Priority will be given to senior citizens, persons with disabilities and single mothers,” he said.

Mr Pintard said they have distributed building materials, including 200 sheets of plywood, sheetrock, felt, tin tabs, roof cement, nails, hard coat, and shingles.

Mr Pintard and the Marco City team also held a Thanksgiving luncheon for hundreds of residents and hosted a family fun day at the Windsor on the Mall Apartments.

“What started out as a Marco City constituency initiative mushroomed into a partnership with service organisations, faith-based organisations, NGOs and government organisations, private businesses and residents. We were also honoured to collaborate with Rotary in a deeper way having connected previously in providing water to several communities jointly,” he said.

Mr Pintard stressed that because thousands of families were adversely affected, many of whom now have no jobs to which to return, the need is still great and varied.