Business Features Local News Sagicor continues support for Adopt-A-Family programme Barbados Today31/03/20230521 views From left: Paul Inniss, Sagicor’s Executive Vice President and General Manager poses with Roxanne Sanderson-Weekes, Senior Child Care Officer with the Child Care Board, and Merlene Hercules, Vice President of the Optimist Club of Barbados Central, at the recent launch of this year’s programme. Families who benefit from and heavily rely on the help provided by the Optimist Club of Barbados Central’s Adopt-A-Family programme will be pleased to know that leading insurance and financial solutions provider, Sagicor, has renewed its commitment to the programme this year. Recently, the NGO and the financial institution, along with their partners, the Barbados Child Care Board and PAREDOS, launched this year’s programme during a meeting with several of its beneficiaries at the Sagicor Client Experience Centre in Collymore Rock. For the second consecutive year, Sagicor has agreed to contribute financially to the programme to help improve the lives of its beneficiaries. In 2022, ten families received assistance thanks to this contribution, with eleven new families set to benefit this year. Paul Inniss, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sagicor Life Inc, said the decision to renew was an easy one, given the impact that had been seen because of the company’s support and the generosity displayed by Sagicor team members throughout the year. “Whether the funds were utilized to improve the quality of their physical living conditions, purchase food and clothing, or provide educational resources for children, there was a significant positive impact on the beneficiaries,” said Inniss. “What was even more heartwarming was the substantial display of support by Sagicor team members, who made multiple donations to the programme over the course of 2022.” In April, November, and December of last year, the company set up barrels at its two locations in Collymore Rock and Wildey in St. Michael and at the new Sagicor Bank office in Worthing, Christ Church, inviting team members to donate non-perishable food, toiletries, toys, baby products, and games, suitable for kids. “This is proof of the willingness of our team members to lend a helping hand to those individuals and families most in need, as the number of items donated were able to serve more than just ten families”, Inniss stated. Vice President of the Optimist Club of Barbados Central Merlene Hercules thanked Sagicor for its renewed commitment to the programme this year, noting that while delivering the various levels of support to the families, the Club was made aware of the challenges that many families face across the island. “Especially when it comes to those families with young children, whose needs are quite complex, and at times difficult for parents to manage,” said Hercules. “We saw a lot of need with regards to nutrition and hygiene, particularly with toddlers. Therefore, we were very appreciative of the donations made by the Sagicor staff, many of which were tailored towards children.” “Similar drives will be executed during this year,” added Inniss, who also indicated that the company would explore other ways in which it could make meaningful contributions. (PR)