The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

HUNDREDS of families will have a merrier Christmas this year thanks to the Grand Bahama Port Authority, which presented vouchers for the distribution of about 300 turkeys to those in need.

Sarah St George, vice chairman of the GBPA, made presentations to 15 local organisations and charities on Wednesday.

She said that more than ever families on Grand Bahama need support as a result of the devastation the island experienced because of Hurricane Dorian in early September.

“This is a more special Christmas as so many homes here on GB were damaged and destroyed by Hurricane Dorian, the magnitude of which has made it very difficult for families to fix their homes in time for family Christmas,” she said.

“Today, more than ever before families rely on the support of our local NGOs, such as (those represented here) who give tirelessly every day, especially on holidays,” said Ms St George.

The GBPA annual turkey drive started a decade ago and has grown over the years from 100 to about 300 turkeys.

Mrs St George thanked the organisations and charities which serves as “the gatekeepers, goodwill, and are central part of the social fabric” of the Grand Bahama community.

She added: “It is our hope it would spread some Christmas cheer to the old and young, and to those who need it most in our community. Christmas is a time for reflection, rebirth, reconciliation, and no one should feel forgotten during this season of compassion.

“I am hoping that this Christmas we provide some closure to these turbulent months that we’ve all been through, and we can start thinking of this as a new beginning, and indeed the rebirth that came with Jesus Christ.”

Reach Out Ministry was one of the recipients of the donation. The organisation’s founder Dudley Seide said each year, groups like his look forward to the GBPA’s turkey voucher distribution to help them reach families.

“Today is a great day for GB,” he said. “After Dorian we had a hard two to three months, and today the GBPA came through with their turkey distribution, and a lot of families will be grateful that the port authority did not forget us,” he said.