The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement Council in Grand Bahama is hosting major fundraising events to help renovate the Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield Community Building that sustained severe flood damage during Hurricane Dorian.

During the month of July, there will be a Father’s Day Sail-away Boat Cruise onboard the Margaritaville of the Sea Paradise, which will be held on Friday, July 22.

At a press conference held on Thursday at FNM Headquarters, it was announced that 50 deserving fathers will be honoured for their contributions over the years.

David Wallace said that the event is being hosted by the GB FNM Council, in conjunction with the FNM MPs and the constituency associations.

He said the sailing will commence at 6pm and check-in begins at 12 noon. The vessel returns at 11pm.

Mr Wallace said onboard they will be honoring some 50 men, including businessmen Hugh Solomon and Gregory Laing, Bishop Kermit Saunders, retired taxi driver Harold McPhee, Darold Rolle, of the Falcons Boys Club; Dudley Seide of Reach Out Youth Organization; and from Bimini Lloyd Edgecombe and Lorrick Roberts; Pat Grant, K. Vincent, Bishop Leslie Woodside, Bishop Ricardo Grant, and Simon Lewis.

Mr Wallace said the public is invited to come out and support the event.

He noted that a vaccinated person must produce within 24 hours a negative rapid antigen test and government issued ID. An unvaccinated person must produce a negative PCR Test within 24 hours and government ID.

He said tickets can be purchased at any constituency association office and at the FNM Headquarters. VIP tickets are also available.

The following day, July 23, there will be a souse-out fundraiser at Central Grand Bahama Association at 8am.

And later at 1pm a Family Fun Day Grill, and 3pm Meet and Greet party leader Michael Pintard at FNM Headquarters.

“FNM will be coming together for a Homecoming at the FNM Headquarters grounds,” said GB FNM Council chairman David Thompson. “It is a free event, and we expect to have a large cross section of FNMs who will come out to meet and discuss their concerns with the party leader, who will also share his vision and goals for the party.”

On August 1, the FNM party will hold a walkathon starting at the Lucaya Shopping Plaza at 7am to Taino Beach.

Mr Wallace said that sponsor sheets have been distributed to the various constituencies association and a prize will be awarded to the person who can collect over $350 in sponsors.

At 12 noon, the GB FNM Council will host “Red Splash” at Taino Beach, Pirates Cove.

Mr Thompson said this is another major fundraising event that is being organized by the council. He noted that the headquarters needs upgrading, new AC units, and roof repair.

“The reason the FNM is raising funds in GB is primarily so we could renovate and upgrade our headquarters, the Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield Community Building, which was under more than 8ft of water during Dorian,” he explained.

In October, he said, the council hopes to host another Boat Cruise event honoring the party’s MCMs (meritorious council members) and ACMs (advisory council members).