Four Turks and Caicos non-profit organizations received big cash donations from local cellphone carrier Islandcom Wireless. Money for the donation was raised at the Islandcom’s annual Battle of the Bands concert held this past June 21st. Each year Islandcom chooses different non profit organization as recipients of the proceeds collected at their event. “This year we focused on children in sports. Throughout the year, we receive tons of sponsorship requests from different sports organizations. Each one has an agenda to go beyond the norm for the kids they coach. We selected organizations that endeared us the most for their organization, commitment to youth, and the sport of choice,” said Islandcom’s Marketing Specialist- Chandra Craigg.
Each organization received $5,000.00 from Islandcom for expenditures towards the benefit of their youth leagues. The organizations chosen were the Provo Amateur Basketball Association (PABA) headed by Sydwell Glasgow and Keith Cox. Second organization was the Trailblazers Academy, which teaches sports such as soccer, indoor hockey, and rugby and is headed by Ian Hurdle. Third organization was Provo Children’s Home headed by Tanis Wake-Forbes. And fourth organization was the TCI Softball Federation headed by Goddfrey Been. Each group assisted in the running of the Battle of the Bands event this past June. Funds raised at the event contributed towards the money donated to the charities.
The Trailblazers Academy is a newly put together sports organization. Their goal is through physical activity and sports; teach young adults the ethics of partnership and hard work. They focus on sports such as rugby, tennis, indoor hockey, and soccer. Their current goal is to raise money to build a sporting facility for youth. With the money received from the donation Trailblazers Academy plans to revive training camps for some of their sports they have put on hold due to funding constraints.
The Provo Children’s Home has been the home to many orphans and disenfranchised youth of the Turks and Caicos. The organization is largely funded by public fundraising done yearly. There are currently nine children of various ages that reside at the home and need complete care. Money from the donation will go towards providing food, clothing, and supplies for the children in the home.
The Turks and Caicos Softball Federation oversees all softball related activities in the Turks and Caicos. There are numerous adult and youth leagues around the islands. Some of the more noted leagues within the Federation are the Churches League and the General Softball League. Over the past year, the Federation has made numerous efforts to provide equipment for their youth softball league. With the donation, they plan to purchase softball kits that will be provided to schools around the nation.
The Provo Amateur Basketball Association is a popular after hour sport with the young adult crowd in Providenciales. The Association is working hard to grow the youth arm of their association through numerous efforts. They have created a Saturday camp to teach young children the art of basketball. They also host several camps for their high school league. Most recently the Association accompanied members of their high school league to the reputable Duke University Coach K Camp in North Carolina. Funds from the donation will go towards further development of their youth girls basketball league. “We are very greatful to Islandcom for the donation to the PABA,” says Keith Cox. “They are doing a really great thing to help our youth programs. Its with the help of Corporate sponsors like Islandcom that we can keep our programs going.”
