The Barbados Poppy League and Salvation Army have each received yet another welcome contribution from CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank which will positively impact the lives of Barbadians in great need.

In recent presentations, both organisations received donations from the bank. Funds for the Barbados Poppy League have gone towards providing monthly welfare allowances for Legionnaires in their time of need, including those who served during World War II, about 35 of whom are now in their late eighties and early nineties. The funds will also assist with medical supplies as well as household items. “Many of our older legionnaires receive a basic government pension so we supplement pensions for those in need,” explained Edna Moore, Secretary of the league.

The Salvation Army is using the funds it received for its social outreach programme which includes its feeding programme, which supplies 160 meals a day, as well as the provision and distribution of hampers to families in need throughout the year. Major Rosemarie Brown said that the bank’s contribution, along with other donations received, would assist in touching the lives of individuals and families in need. “We’re always grateful to those entities such as CIBC FirstCaribbean who seek to partner with us to enable us to serve humankind to make someone’s live a little better. We’re grateful they still make the effort; we know there are many institutions who they could have given their contribution to,” Major Brown said. She added: “We thank the bank for having the confidence in us for doing what, perhaps, they would like to but cannot.”

Ms. Moore also expressed thanks on behalf of the Barbados Poppy League saying that the bank’s contribution was “very welcomed”. She added: “We’re extremely grateful that the bank has been able to give us a donation and a good one at that.” The annual Poppy Appeal is the main fundraiser of the Barbados Poppy League which was established in 1922 and raises funds for the Barbados Legion, which was formed in 1957. The Barbados Poppy League is responsible for every aspect of the Poppy Appeal, from the ordering of Poppies to the counting of the cash proceeds and its final disposal.

Commenting on CIBC FirstCaribbean’s assistance to the Salvation Army and the Barbados Poppy League over the years, Donna Wellington, the bank’s Managing Director, Barbados said: “We continue our relationship with and support of both of these organisations because of the quality and impact of their outreach. Giving back to Barbadians communities, particularly those persons and families in great need, is always fulfilling and remains core to who CIBC FirstCaribbean is and what we do“.