With an extra $5,000 to spend, five communities in St Vincent and the Grenadines should be able to produce better Nine Mornings activities.{{more}}

During a press conference on Wednesday, the communities of Point Village, Barrouallie, Carriere, Stubbs and Rose Bank received sponsorship to the tune of $1,000 each, from Coreas Hazells Inc to boost their Nine Mornings activities for 2013.

Marketing and Corporate Communi­cations officer Jennilee Glasgow stated that Coreas Hazells Inc was very pleased to make this donation, as they are big supporters of unique Vincentian culture.

Coreas’ representative Carlton James indicated that the funds donated are part of the profit realised by the company by doing business in this country.

“We at Coreas Hazells are prepared to put back some of our profits into activities here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, such as Nine Mornings,” he said.

“We are prepared to be involved in diverse activities here in St Vincent and the Grenadines”.

In his remarks, Michael Peters, the chairman of the National Nine Mornings Committee, noted that Coreas Hazells have been supporters of the festival in the past and that he is extremely happy to have them on board once again this year.

“Getting lights has always been a major concern with communities lighting up. And Coreas came forward last year… they offered a significant discount to communities lighting up, which lent an important part of the Nine Mornings festivities. We are so happy that this year they are going one step further in terms of providing sponsorship to five communities,” Peters said.

“The Nine Mornings Committee has been facing major challenges…in terms of financing the festival and maintaining the level at which we have been going over the past 15 years. Very importantly, Nine Mornings at the community level is what drives the festival; therefore any level of support is what is important. This $5,000 is significant. It may sound small, but every penny is welcome and every penny will support the effort”.

He added that the communities chosen were some that have activities both in the morning and at night, during the nine days.

The chairman said that it is his hope that other business places come forward to support the festival.

The Barrouallie community began its festivities yesterday and Carriere will launch its activities this afternoon. Other communities are expected to launch their festivities on the weekend.

This year, the Nine Mornings festival will celebrate its 100th anniversary in St Vincent and the Grenadines.