Co-operative Bank donates to ‘Poor Home’

The residents of the Lewis Punnett Home have been given the assurance that they have not been forgotten.{{more}}

On Wednesday, December 21, the St. Vincent Co-operative Bank Ltd. distributed Care packages, with a total value of approximately $8000, to all 98 residents of the Home for the elderly and economically disadvantaged.

Laverne Velox, Manager of the Bank, popularly known as the “Penny Bank”, in presenting the attractive packages to Sister Ellen Wilson, nurse in charge of the Home, said that the distribution of the packages is a manifestation of the Bank’s corporate responsibility.

“We are giving back to the people who at some point in their lives may have given to the Bank by saving with us. Our Bank is often called ‘the poor people’s Bank’, so it is very significant that our first venture in lending assistance to any institution in St. Vincent and the Grenadines begins with what we know as the ‘poor home’,” Velox said.

Velox shared that the suggestion to give care packages to the residents of the Home was made by staff member Montgomery Howard a few years ago. However, the project was not actually implemented until this year. The leg work in procuring the items to fill the bags, attractively embossed with the logo of the Bank, was the sole responsibility of Carlita Tyrell, another staff member.

Each of the reusable shopping bags presented to the residents contains skin lotion, powder, shampoo, toilet tissue, petroleum jelly, deodorant, rubbing alcohol, Vicks, toilet soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a comb, a bath towel and washcloth.

The generositiy of the Bank was not limited to the gifts for the residents, as all 48 staff members of the Home also received presents.

“We are cognizant that it takes a special person to work in an institution which cares primarily for senior citizens. The staff here must be blessed with patience, empathy, compassion and love for others. These gifts they will take to their respective homes for their families to share,” Velox stated.

She said it was the hope of the Bank that their “small tokens will help bring cheer to everyone who receives them during this festive season.”