In its continuing effort to provide assistance and support to the communities that it serves, Windward Islands (WINAIR) once again came to the rescue of some deserving recipients.
Despite the ongoing financial challenges that is being faced by a number of countries around the world the community base airline company came to the rescues of some children. According to confirm reports the airline immediately agreed after being approached by a non-governmental organization to lend airline support assistance to some thirty eight children and two adults.
The request was made on behalf of the underprivileged children who were seeking medical attention off island and thus needed the urgent assistance so as to fulfill their appointment. The NGO, I Can Foundation were taking some underprivileged children to the island of Statia. According to a senior official within the organization the children was originally slated to go by boat however for unforeseen reasons this approach had to be aborted thus the request for Winair's assistance.
The assistance was made possible after Managing Director of Winair Edwin Hodge was contacted by the Foundation’s board members for air support. Hodge when contacted said that Winair remains committed to helping and assisting the communities that it serves. “While we are like every other country affected by the global finances we couldn’t say no to the request as the children of today are our leaders of tomorrow and therefore, we wanted to play a meaningful role thus we consented to the request,” Hodge said.
He noted that while numerous other companies have put a hold on sponsorship and other requests his company continues giving as he stressed that in challenging times its when communities, stakeholders and the business community needs to forge a more unified relationship. “We have been giving despite the financial challenges as we recognize that there are some requests that are of great importance and urgency thus we have been saying yes to those requests,” he said.
An official within the organization in expressing gratitude and thanks to Winair stating that his organization has benefited significantly from the airline. He has urged the airline company to continue what he has dubbed as its Good Samaritan approach urging the public to continue its unwavering support to the airline. “We are very thankful for the assistance of Winair and we urge the public to continue lending support so as to ensure that Winiar continues on its community development path,” the official said.
The I Can Foundation is a NGO that has been accessing subsidy so as to help in the execution of its mandate and objectives through the assistance of companies, government and other agencies. It was also noted that the I Can Foundation also does fundraising activities so as to enhance their revenue thus being able to assist in the successful execution of their programs and projects.
The delegation of children and adults which departed on July 22nd returned to St Maarten on Sunday July 26th.
