The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction and The Grand Bahama Disaster Consultative Committee hosted the service on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at Calvary Temple Assemblies of God where volunteers, civic organizations, governmental departments, frontline workers and Ministers of the Government all gathered to say thank you.

Minister Pintard said there were many who had to fight for their lives, as well as those who did not make it. Some, he added, were lost following the storm due to a variety of reasons but the death toll would have been a lot worse had it not been for those volunteers who risked their lives to help those in need.

LET’S PULL TOGETHER – After thanking the volunteers of Hurricane Dorian during a special service of appreciation on Thursday, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources and Member of Parliament for Marco City, the Hon. Michael Pintard said there are still many residents who need assistance, and we need to come together despite political affiliation or religious denomination to help each other. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

Assistance is still needed, said the Minister, and asked that all residents no matter their politics or denomination, pull together and help each other. He said, “let’s turn to each other instead of on each other.”

Minister Lewis said he stood there with a “grateful heart” to say thank you to the hundreds of volunteers. The list, he said, pales in comparison to all those who assisted residents in need and added, “what you did was immeasurable.” 

Also, present was Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction and Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, the Hon. Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe; representatives of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Grand Bahama Power Company and so many other businesses and service clubs that assisted residents following Hurricane Dorian.

All those listed were given a Certificate of Appreciation.

VOLUNTEERS RECOGNIZED – Many volunteers were recognized for their efforts before, during and following Hurricane Dorian that ravaged Grand Bahama and Abaco in September, 2019. A Service of Appreciation was held on Thursday at Calvary Temple Assemblies of God. Shown with some of the volunteers are Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Michael Pintard; Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Iram Lewis and Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction, the Hon. Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe along with Administrators and other senior government officials and corporate Grand Bahama. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)