Red Cross renovations get government support
(L-R) Tara Rivers and Jondo Obi in front of the under-renovation Red Cross headquarters
(CNS Local Life): The Cayman Islands Red Cross (CIRC) has received a government boost to its “Shelter from the Storm” appeal, which aims to raise $600,000 for remedial renovations to its Huldah Road headquarters. The campaign was launched in July 2018 to fund the work required to ensure compliance with current building codes, and provide a safe space for both staff and the various clients that it serves.
Through the government’s collaborative partnership with a local private charitable foundation, $450,000 will be contributed towards the appeal, stated a press release. Corporate donors and individuals within the community have already pledged their support. Initial construction work on the building commenced in September 2018 and is scheduled to continue through the first half of 2019.
The CIRC aims to have its headquarters building open and ready once again to serve as a national shelter by 1 June 2019.
“Following a presentation to the government by the director of the Cayman Islands Red Cross and members of its Building Committee, the Cabinet approved funding to support the CIRC’s appeal,” Minister for Home Affairs Tara Rivers said in the press release.
“The Cayman Islands Red Cross is a key stakeholder in Government’s national disaster management strategy, and we are fortunate to have a dedicated organisation like this that stands ready to respond to critical incidents, and provide support and aid when needed,” she added.
“The facility operates as a primary hurricane shelter and is the first shelter to open in the event of an emergency, so ensuring that it is fully operational is critical to the safety and wellbeing of the community.”
CIRC Director Jondo Obi spoke of the all the help the appeal has attracted. “With the generous support of this government, local charities, businesses and members of the community, the Cayman Islands Red Cross can continue to provide shelter, training and other critical services to those in need,” she said.
Rivers added that the government was “extremely happy to support charitable organisations, especially one like the CIRC that has provided essential services in the Cayman Islands for more than 30 years”.
For more information on Shelter from the Storm, go to the Cayman Islands Red Cross website
Category: Community, Donations, Service Organisations
