Chamber misses target but still throws Brac party

(CNS): Although falling short by some $60,000 of the target set for the “Christmas Joy” initiative intended to give every family on the Brac a $100 gift certificate, the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce, the Agape Family Worship Centre and other organizers pressed ahead with their planned Christmas party and giveaway for families on Cayman Brac recovering from Hurricane Paloma which hit the Sister Islands in November.

Although at the launch both the Chamber and Agape had hoped to raise $100,000 the celebration was still attended by some 1000 residents. Chamber of Commerce President Eddie Thompson said that over CI$40,000 had been raised from member businesses, churches, service clubs and the general public in an attempt to assist the families in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman during the holiday season following an estimated $20 million worth of damage across the island.

“Businesses, organisations and individuals in Grand Cayman have responded to our goal to provide each family with a $100 gift certificate for the holiday season,” he said at the event. “The Chamber of Commerce works best when we pool the resources of our membership and that’s why we are able to come together this evening in support of the Sister Islands Christmas joy initiative.”

Organisers also included the Health Services Authority, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and Cayman National and on 18 December a number of people from Grand Cayman travelled to Cayman Brac to organise the special celebration on the playing field at the Cayman Brac High School.

The Chamber also said a committee in Cayman Brac which will include representatives from the Department of Children and Family Services will distribute the certificates to the neediest families first. The certificates can be used to purchase products and services at any business in Cayman Brac or Little Cayman that is willing to accept them. Business owners will be able to redeem the certificate at a Cayman National Bank location in Cayman Brac or Little Cayman.

According to the Chamber the initiative was designed to benefit the Sister Islands in two ways: first, to provide a little relief for families in the Sister Islands this Christmas and second, to stimulate the economy. ”It is our hope that this initiative will not only assist families but will also provide much needed support for businesses operating in the islands,” Thompson said.

Chamber member the Water Authority also contributed $5,000 worth of certificates to be redeemed at their location in Cayman Brac and Chamber Member Cayman Lenscrafters also donated $2200 worth of certificates to be distributed to the neediest families in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman (see picture).

AS well as the usual dignitaries including the Governor Stuart Jack, Sister Islands MLAs Juliana O’Connor-Conolly and Moses Kirkconnell, District Commissioner Ernie Scott, Health Services Authority Acting CEO

Lizette Yearwood, Chamber CEO Wil Pineau and Pastor Al Ebanks more than 50 volunteers from Grand Cayman went along to help. Santa and Mrs. Claus were also there to deliver some early Christmas presents to children and their parents.