Management and staff at the Dominica Agricultural Industrial and Development Bank (DAIDB/AID Bank) brought Christmas cheer to the children of CHANCES and Operation Youth Quake on Tuesday 23rd December, 2014 with a personal delivery of gifts.
This was done in recognition and appreciation of the young residents at both institutions and the dedicated staff who continue to serve the most vulnerable among us. The children were visibly delighted when the representatives of the Bank, led by General Manager, Mr. Julius J. Corbett shared a simple, but fun-filled time of caroling, jokes, Christmas quizzes, gift-giving and tasty Christmas treats.
The Bank has previously treated residents and staff of both facilities to Creole lunch. Most recently, in 2011 the Bank renovated the Operation Youth Quake kitchen- replacing the counter, cupboards and all electrical and plumbing fittings and fixtures.
“We have had a very cordial relationship with the AID Bank staff and I hope it will continue into the New Year, “says Director at the institution Mr. Lennox Abraham, who sees this visit as a welcome extension of the good corporate citizenry of the AID Bank towards Operation Youth Quake.
“The residents were quite happy and extend their thanks to the Bank and more specifically to the contributing Staff,” he added.
Mr. Corbett, on behalf of the Bank, expressed pleasure at his staff’s initiative to share the joy of Christmas with these special children.
“Christmas makes the needs of others more visible and I am pleased to be a part of a corporate team that demonstrates the true spirit of the season. Though the Bank identified the need to make a charitable donation, it was the staff who resoundingly volunteered to purchase these gifts from their own pocket.”
“It is my hope that such efforts would continue in the future,” he added.
Established in 2010, CHANCES is a residential home for at-risk youth ages zero to 18. The facility is run by the Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs. CHANCES is an acronym for Children’s Home for the Abused, Neglected, Cheated and Emotionally Scarred.
Operation Youth Quake is a residential facility for at risk youth ages 12-18. It is funded through government subvention, contributions from the Beverly Deikel Foundation through the Resource Foundation and donations from private and corporate citizens.
Earlier in December, the children and grand-children of AID Bank staff members were treated to a Christmas party filled with, fun and frolic and a thrilling visit from Santa Claus, who brought sacks filled with Christmas gifts.
Great Job Corbett!