Behind the scene volunteers take account of the pledges made at the Rotary telethon for Bahamas relief at Maria's by the Sea on September 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Former legislator Archibald C. Christian, right, was one of the volunteers registering pledges made at the Rotary telethon for Bahamas relief at Maria's by the Sea on September 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Members of the panel at the Rotary telethon for Bahamas relief at Maria's by the Sea on September 10, 2019. Photo: VINO

From left: Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert, High Court Judge Mr Gerard St. C. Farara, QC, and Acting Premier and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) at the Rotary telethon on September 10, 2019. Photo: VINO

“Rotary knows no regional, international, political or geographical bounds. Rotary is an international organisation of great repute and has a steller reputation for assisting persons throughout the world in their particular areas of need,” said past Assistant Governor and High Court Judge Mr Gerard St. C. Farara, QC, in setting the pace for the telethon to start accepting donations.

The telethon was headquartered at Maria’s by the Sea last night September 10, 2019 and streamed live on all local visual and radio media outlets in the territory. The format featured a panel of Rotarians led by Assistant District 7020 Governor Lorna G. Smith OBE, along with District Governor Delma Maduro; Past Assistant Governor Mr Farara; Past District Governor Vance M. Lewis and President of Rotary Saint Thomas, Dr Gerry Smith.

During the course of the telethon, several others joined the panel, including Governor of the Virgin Islands Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert; Acting Premier and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9); Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Sharleen S. DaBreo-Lettsome; and a representative of the BVI Red Cross.

Also calling in were Immediate Past President of Rotary International, Mr Barry Rasin, and Past District Governor Felix N. Stubbs of the Bahamas, who gave an outline of the situation on the hurricane ravaged islands.

100% of funds donate will go to Bahamas

Throughout the evening, much reflection was made on the challenges the VI experienced following the passage of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in 2017. It was also noted that several countries, including the Bahamas, did similar fundraiser for the VI at that time.

Key to the fundraiser was giving persons the assurance that all funds raised would go directly to the cause it is donated for.

“I want to this evening to allay any fear that there may be out there and to assure persons here in the British Virgin Islands and elsewhere, who are thinking of and who would like to make a contribution to this initiative this evening for the people of the Bahamas, to be assured that whatever you contribute; however, small, however large. Those funds are going 100% to help the people of the Bahamas,” said Mr Farara.

It was explained that the funds raised will be channelled to the Rotary clubs in the Bahamas for them to assist persons in need. “So this is not a situation where persons or people or anyone else will have an opportunity to divert any of these funds anywhere or to impose certain operational costs and expenses that would deplete the funds.”

Direct account of the situation on the ground

Stubbs, the Disaster Chairperson of District 7020 said that as of last night things were no close to being stable in the Bahamas as they struggle to find homes and other aid for affected persons.

He said one of the things noted since Hurricane Dorian ravaged the island of Abaco is that there has been a large population of undocumented migrants, approximately 6000.

Stubbs also said the death toll has risen to about 50 and over 4000 persons evacuated.

The rotary family is continuing the fundraising drive to secure as much funds for the people of the Bahamas.