thebahamasweekly.com - RBC Race for the kids attract increase in donations

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Community
RBC Race for the kids attract increase in donations
By Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute
Nov 11, 2021 - 4:32:17 PM

RBC Royal Bank and the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) teamed up for the third consecutive time to organize the RBC Race for the Kids, a global charity race. This year saw a 20% increase in donations of which BTVI is the beneficiary. Photo: RBC

For the third time in two years, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) is the recipient of proceeds from the global RBC Race for the Kids event.

This year, a 20% increase in donations resulted in RBC Royal Bank presenting a cheque for $18,000 to the institution. More than 500 participants laced up locally and joined other participants throughout the wider Caribbean and as far away as Canada and China for the global event. The Bahamas was host to one of 35 virtual races held across 19 countries. The 539 participants represented a 33% increase over the last year's virtual race.

It was a team effort to organize the RBC Race for the Kids of which the donations benefit the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI). The third edition of the global charity race was recently held, attracting 539 participants from the wider Caribbean and as far away as Canada and China, representing a 33% increase over the October 2020 virtual race. Photo: RBC

The donation will benefit several areas, including:

BTVI’s Student Success Learning Lab; this also includes diagnostic and learner-centered teaching techniques to support 21st-century educational goals and skills-building;
The restoration of the Abaco centre and Grand Bahama campus, following the devastation from Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and
The further development of the early alert STAR program, which identifies at-risk students.

BTVI's President, Dr. Robert W. Robertson, said the institution is thrilled to be the local charity for the global event again.

Many of the over 500 participants in the 2021 RBC Race for the Kids recently collected their medals during a drive-by event held on the campus of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute. The initia, January 2020 race was in person. However, due to the global covid-19 pandemic, the race pivoted to a virtual format in October 2020 and 2021. Photo: RBC

"The support from RBC Royal Bank has been phenomenal; clearly, the bank has a heart for young people and understands the importance of BTVI to the nation. RBC Royal Bank and BTVI have a special connection in that BTVI has a key role in helping to close the skills gap through career training and workforce development, while RBC Royal Bank clearly sees the benefits of investing in our young people. We believe the dividends reaped from this partnership will be tremendous and ultimately for the country," said Dr. Robertson.

Managing Director & Vice President, Personal Banking and RBC FINCO, LaSonya Missick said, “Community engagement is core to the purpose of RBC: helping our clients thrive and communities prosper. One of the most meaningful things we can do as an organization in these difficult times is to give back to our community partners, to help make sure they stay strong and resilient. We are pleased to have BTVI as our local charity partner and thank them for their continued dedication to supporting our nation's youth," she added.

This was the third edition of the RBC Race for the Kids, with the first one in January 2020 being in person. However, due to the global covid-19 pandemic, the race pivoted to a virtual format in October 2020 and 2021. It was a means of continuing the necessary support of youth-focused partners globally, despite social gathering restrictions.