BMA Partners With Family Centre To Raise Funds
In the lead up to the 2019 Cup Match holiday, employees of the Bermuda Monetary Authority partnered with the Family Centre to help raise funds for their specialised programmes and services assisting children and families across the island.
BMA staff members supported Family Centre’s annual Cup Match Tag Day on Wednesday 31 July by manning various locations around the City to collect donations and hand out Cup Match team stickers. Prior to that on Friday 26 July, BMA staff wore denim to work in exchange for a donation to the charity.
Martha Dismont, Executive Director of Family Centre, and Mesheiah Crockwell, BMA Director of Human Resources
The efforts were part of the BMA’s expanded community outreach in 2019 to honour its five decades of service to Bermuda. The Authority will partner with five of the island’s registered charities whose missions address areas such as children and families, arts and culture, the environment, education and seniors.
In addition to five ‘BMA Days of Giving’ where BMA staff volunteer for specific tasks identified by the charity partner, 21 Bermuda charities will benefit from monies raised by staff who participate in the BMA’s ‘Charitable Fridays’ – internal dress down days held on the second and fourth Friday of each month in exchange for a minimum donation benefiting the selected charity.
Mesheiah Crockwell, the Authority’s Director of Human Resources, said: “The Authority’s heightened focus this year on charitable giving and partnerships has been immensely gratifying. Our staff has participated in project-based ‘BMA Days of Giving’ which have provided firsthand, tangible results.
“Additional fundraising efforts through our ‘Charitable Fridays’ have also helped the selected charities put monies towards critical programmes and services in need of additional funding. The island’s third sector provides expanded services for a wide range of community needs, therefore, funding and volunteer resources are in constant demand and essential to the well-being for many living in Bermuda who receive such support and assistance.”
Ms. Crockwell added: “Family Centre was chosen as one of the BMA’s charitable partners because of their far-reaching impact in our community. The organisation was founded some 30 years ago and, for the last 23 years in particular, has made its impact on children suffering from abuse, neglect and other emotional challenges through specialised programmes and prevention initiatives.
“The scope of Family Centre’s work includes providing advocacy and training for parents and families, conducting community programmes such as Beyond Rugby and Youth Leadership Academy, offering counselling services, and running therapeutic summer camps and special events.
“We were honoured to assist Family Centre with their popular Tag Day held on Cup Match Eve. There has been a buzz of excitement in the air just before the two-day holiday and it was a welcome opportunity for staff to donate much needed man hours to ensure the Tag Day was a success. At the same time, staff members had fun getting in the Cup Match spirit by engaging with members of the community and handing out Somerset and St. George’s team stickers.”
Family Centre’s Executive Director Martha Dismont also commented: “Our Cup Match Tag Day is an important part of Family Centre’s fundraising efforts each year. We are grateful to the wider community for their generous contributions which help us work towards achieving our target fundraising goals.
“Without the support from volunteers, however, our fundraising goals would be extremely challenging to meet. We are grateful to the likes of BMA staff who donated their time, energy and smiles to assist us with these efforts on the day. We congratulate the BMA on its 50th Anniversary, and we were so pleased to hear of their willingness to support our fundraising efforts on behalf of Bermuda’s most vulnerable children!”
“Future ‘BMA Day of Giving’ community projects will be held to benefit the National Museum of Bermuda and Keep Bermuda Beautiful. Previous Days of Giving benefited Meals on Wheels in March and Tomorrow’s Voices in May.”
