The Barbados Vagrants & Homeless Society (BVHS) today launched a Building a Future for the Homeless campaign, with some well-known comedians and entertainers on board to help push the fundraising drive.
Seth Xcel Bovell, Nadia No Filter Phillips, Lead Pipe & Saddis, and Rorrey Fenty, brother of pop star Rihanna, have all committed to helping the Society raise enough funds to purchase a new building to better meet the needs of the homeless they serve.
BVHS president Kemar Saffrey said the organization has outgrown its Tudor Street headquarters and the building it has its eye on costs around $1.7 million. Through the fundraising drive, the aim is to reach that goal before year-end.
Bottles will be placed at 24 locations of Republic Bank, CIBC First Caribbean, and Unicomer (Courts Ltd.) – all corporate backers of the campaign – for members of the public to make donations.
Xcel said videos about the campaign would be “coming heavy” soon, as he uses his social media platforms to promote the worthy cause.
He urged Barbadians to give generously.
“Barbados, I know wunna got money. I see the receipts at the supermarket, so it’s time to share, sharing is caring!” he declared, adding on a more serious note, “It’s best to give and treat people how you would want to be treated.”
Phillips was also pleased to be part of the initiative.
“We are very fortunate. I don’t think that I could imagine sleeping on the streets,” she said, applauding Saffrey for his efforts.
Even though it has limited space, the eight-year-old BVHS still manages to cater to over 70 people on a daily basis.
According to Saffrey, the charity can also boast of “a 97 per cent success rate in getting people off the streets and rehabilitated”.
Article by Barbados Today