Latest update February 20th, 2025 12:39 PM
Scotiabank ‘spreads love’ to the less fortunate
With the season of love in the air, residents of the Salvation Army Women’s Home
Staff of the Scotiabank Carmichael Street Branch serving meals to elderly residents at the Salvation Army Women’s Home.
and those at the Archer’s Home were last Saturday treated to a pre-Valentine’s lunch, as a reminder that they are still cared for.
The meals, which were all prepared by staff of the Scotiabank Carmichael Street Branch, were gladly welcomed by the administrators of both homes and the thankful residents.
At the Salvation Army Women’s Home, Naseeb Mohammed, the Branch Manager, told Kaieteur News that this initiative was another one of the Bank’s community charity events which was focused on recognizing senior citizens.
“Our aim here is to provide a meal to share with elders of communities done around Valentine’s to share love. My staff has used money from their own pockets and this is out of their own personal choice,” said Mohammed.
Kaieteur News understands that this activity has been an annual event for the past four years and has been quite successful, where the less fortunate and elderly folks are recognized for their contributions in society.
Mohammed explained that many of these elders have at some point impacted the life of others and should be remembered for the roles they played.
Although their actions did not have a direct impact on the staff, the bank’s employees felt the need to recognize these elders who have been “giving so much” during their lives.
Captain Katchina James, Supervisor of the Salvation Army Women’s Home, said that she is originally from Jamaica and has only been at the home over one month to date.
She expressed her gratitude to the bank’s employees for their generosity and stated that this activity was an “opening avenue” in getting more persons involved in such acts of goodwill.
This newspaper understands that there are currently three residents at the Women’s Home and two elderly women who dedicate their time to assist residents and cook for them.
The Home is for elderly women who are capable of taking care of themselves, such as changing their clothes, eating, and showering. There is one blind resident at the home.
“The blind woman does things for herself, however, one of the two women would wash for her. The other woman who helps does the cooking, and our job really is to provide something like a home away from home,” said Captain James.
When the staff of Scotiabank arrived at the Archer’s Home, the residents there greeted them with expectant and thankful smiles. They
One of the bank’s employees serving juice to some of the residents at the Archer’s Home
were treated to the same sumptuous meals which the women from the Salvation Army Women’s Home enjoyed.
Olive Williams, the Administrator, told the gathering that 18 residents are accommodated, and they were all very grateful for such an occasion.
“We are grateful for the sumptuous meals…especially around Valentine’s, that young people would share their love with seniors, the less fortunate ones that need help, we are thankful.”
Pearl Gravesande, a resident who has been at the Home for three years, celebrated her 92nd birthday on Friday, last.
“God is always with us. I am not well in body but in spirit, and I feel nice for this occasion since all my children are overseas and couldn’t be here for my birthday.
“My son who is a doctor came a few days before but had to leave for Jamaica and couldn’t be here but he called to find out how I spent my birthday. I consider this meal my gift.”
At both homes, prayers were said before the meals, and at the Archer’s Home, a resident expressed his joy by reading Psalm 103 after they had finished eating.
Rene Duff, the head of the bank’s Employee Action Team, explained these Homes were selected because it was felt by the bank staff that their residents would usually “get forgotten a lot.”
She said that the Bank usually participates in various events which are targeted at developing communities.
These include the Scotiabank Bright for a Bright Future Programme and preparation of meals and hampers for the less fortunate annually.
The team’s next focus for the year is hosting an activity for children who are presently in homes.
“We are presently working on a feeding programme, something stable that will be done regularly, and focus on the development and care for children. We are working towards feeding or educating,” added Duff. (Kristen Macklingam)
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