News

STAFF AT FirstCaribbean International Bank Ocho Rios did another good deed on Saturday, serving residents of the St Ann Infirmary with hot lunches and drinks and presenting a deep freeze to the institution.

"We fed the infirm, we prepared hot meals, we gave them sandwiches and drinks. We gave them personal donations of toiletries and we also gave them clothing," Branch Manager Lorna Escoffery told The Gleaner.

The 19-member team, including workers, supervisors and managers at the bank, also donated a 14-cubic-foot Whirlpool deep freeze.

Saturday's benevolence was a continuation of efforts by the bank to assist the infirmary. Last year, the bank twice visited the institution, feeding the infirm and donating items, including benches.

Escoffery said the bank would continue to assist the infirmary.

Grateful for support

Assistant matron at the infirmary, Yvonne Ferguson, who facilitated the visit and later accepted the freezer, was thankful for the support.

"It has been very good," Ferguson said of the help from the bank.

"I know they (residents) enjoyed it and we're so thankful for the freezer because sometimes we don't have anywhere to store meat or so on, so we're very grateful for that more than all."

Ferguson said the infirmary was still appealing for assistance.

"We need a lot of wheelchairs and all of that because, at the moment, we don't have many wheelchairs, and it's really a problem," she explained.

"And if you notice, the time is very hot. There are no fans, we need some fans as well, because the residents are really complaining, especially during the days, it's very hot and, at nights, there is a lot of mosquitoes, and the fans would be of great help."

There are 114 residents at the infirmary.

- Carl Gilchrist