St. John’s, Antigua: Monday, December 07, 2020: The torrential downpour on Monday, November 9th, led to significant island-wide flooding and millions of dollars in damages to public infrastructure and personal properties.
The Calvin Ayre Foundation (CAF) has again committed to providing financial relief in response to the urgent need of the community, to the tune of EC$148,000. The donation will support the Ministry of Social Transformation’s short term relief efforts and critical needs, to include the renovation of damaged structures.
“The Calvin Ayre Foundation has been outstanding in their support for Antigua and Barbuda, particularly the vulnerable amongst us,” said Minister of Social Transformation and the Blue Economy, Hon. Dean Jonas. “Many students, many disabled individuals and many persons who were made vulnerable during this Covid crisis have benefitted directly from contributions made by the Calvin Ayre Foundation,” he continued. “For this, we are truly grateful.”
According to the CAF’s Executive Director, Corinna Delowsky, the donation hardly remedies all the needs and challenges being faced by those enduring the worst effects of Covid-19 and other unforeseen circumstances. “However,” she said, “it is our hope that our assistance will empower families and spark optimism in those most affected.”
During the brief presentation on Monday at the Ministry of Social Transformation, Delowsky stated that the Foundation, which was founded by business mogul and Special Economic Envoy to Antigua and Barbuda, Ambassador Calvin Ayre in 2005, saw this as an opportunity to help rebuild lives and encouraged other good corporate citizens to assist wherever they can for the betterment of the nation.
Media Relations Specialist for the Ayre Group, Jamilla Kirwan, echoed Delowsky’s sentiments, and elaborated on the Foundation’s pillars of giving.
“Our pillars of giving at the Calvin Ayre Foundation are in the areas of Social Development, Education, Sports and Disaster Response, where we assist in supporting and rebuilding communities most affected by natural disasters and unfortunate circumstances. The island-wide flooding on November 9, certainly falls under that category and we are happy to be able to assist in the rebuilding process.”
The CAF has been actively extending financial and tangible assistance to the people of Antigua and Barbuda through the Government, as the nation continues to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, the CAF also committed US$1 million to the construction of homes destroyed by hurricane Irma.
