For the second successive year, eight local charities stand to benefit from the 2016 Banks Calendar Girl Competition.

Introduced last year as an added element to the judging criteria, contestants in the Final 8 have each been assigned to local organisations and tasked to initiate and manage a community-oriented project.

“The results last year were incredible and we are very excited to renew our charitable efforts on behalf of the ‘Beer of Barbados’,” said Charles Walcott, Category Manager for Banks (Barbados) Breweries Limited.

Latoya Adamson will be providing support for the Battered Women’s Safe House; Jalisa Alleyne the Geriatric Hospital; Akeila Darlington the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association; Annile Gibson the Thelma Vaughn Memorial Home; Janelle Haynes the Barbados Vagrants and Homeless Society; Rashanna Holder the Challenor Creative Arts & Training Centre; Samantha Romain the Service Alliance for Violent Encounters (S.A.V.E); and Raquele Thomas, The Precious Touch Foundation.

Each contestant has received a $500 contribution from Banks (Barbados) Breweries Ltd. to help them manage their respective projects. Last year, more than $10,000 was raised as the Final 8 engaged in fundraising activities, alongside fulfilling their responsibilities to their respective charities.

“This part of the competition is about leaving a lasting – and tangible – impact on the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves,” added Walcott, who noted the prefect synergy that exists between the charity element and the ‘Superheroes‘ theme of this year’s competition.

“As we did last year, we are urging our contestants to strongly consider leaving a lasting legacy and we want them to go beyond the usual donation of funds. They have been given a mandate to identify a problem and implement a solution, and we are very pleased with the initial feedback we have received.”

The newly crowned Banks Calendar Girl – who will be the 21st ambassador to grace the iconic poster – will receive a one-year contract and $10,000 cash.

The public also has a chance to select a People’s Choice winner by voting online for their preferred contestant at www.facebook.com/mybanksbeer and www.bankscalendargirl.com.

The People’s Choice winner will receive $1000, along with automatic qualification into the Grand Final. Voting for People’s Choice will conclude on December 3rd and the winner will be announced live at the Grand Final on December 10th at the Oistins Bay Garden.