Archived News - June 2008

Salvation Army Raises Record $104,243 for Needy, Alpha Phi Alpha Wins Bell Ringer Award

Alpha Phi Alpha member, Terrance Fountain accepting the Bell Ringer’s Award on behalf of the club. From L to R: Major Lester Ferguson, Salvation Army’s Divisional Commander; Judy Munroe, Advisory Board Chairman; Terrence Fountain of Alpha Phi Alpha and Former Commissioner of Police and Salvation Army Board member Paul Farquharson.

Bahamians and visitors reached into their pockets to reach out to others less fortunate in unparalleled generosity this year, donating a record $104,243 to the annual Salvation Army Kettle Drive, it was revealed this week.  News of the record collection was made during a luncheon hosted by board members of the charitable and spiritual organisation to thank those who helped, ringing the familiar bell and swinging the bright red kettle that has come to symbolize Christmas sharing. 
        “If you could capture what The Salvation Army is or does in one word, it would be ‘others’,” says Divisional Commander Major Lester Ferguson as he addressed some 40 persons at the awards ceremony. “It is with the help of others, all of you, that allows us to perform our duties which is the basis of the Army’s  existence.”     For the three weeks leading up to Christmas, members of civic clubs including Pilot Clubs, Delta Sigma Theta, Kiwanis Clubs, Rotary Clubs, Kappa Alpha Psi, Zonta Club of Nassau, Calvary Men’s Fellowship, Omar Temple Lodge and Alpha Phi Alpha and businesses including PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Marsha Thompson gave up weekend days to stand in front of food stores and malls enticing passers-by with the sound of the signature red bells to donate funds to assist in making someone else’s holiday a little brighter.
         “We are pleased to announce that we raised a record-breaking $104.243.16 which has gone a long way in touching the lives of over 6800 persons during the holidays,” said Major Ferguson. Funds rose helped provide some 1650 special meals, 1597 food parcels, 1352 toys for children and 2282 care packs. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity raised $3,727.55 - the largest amount earned of all the service organizations- and for their efforts, were awarded the Bell Ringers Award. This year’s collection was nearly 25% higher than last year’s – and that set a new record. Former Governor General Sir Orville Turnquest had officially launched the kettle drive in a ceremony that included music by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band in late November.
         Certificates of appreciation were awarded to other service and non-service organizations that participated as well, including the Pilot Clubs, Delta Sigma Theta, Kiwanis Clubs, Rotary Clubs, PriceWaterhouseCooper, Kappa Alpha Psi, Zonta Club of Nassau, Calvary Men’s Fellowship, Marsha Thompson, Omar Temple Lodge and Alpha Phi Alpha.
         Another individual receiving a very special award was former Commissioner of Police and Salvation Army Board member Paul Farquharson who was recognized for his contributions and diligent service during his tenure on the Board. “My life has been enriched,” Mr. Farquharson said, “having been given the opportunity to be a part of this community conscious group. I owe you a depth of gratitude as ingratitude is a sin. I thank you so much.”