NATHANIEL LEWIS

President of Reach Out Ministry, Dudley Seide is appealing to the Grand Bahama community to support the organization's upcoming initiatives.

In a press conference held at the organization's headquarters, Seide announced that the organization is continuing its maintenance efforts to the building and preparing it for official use.

Plans for the completed building include recreation rooms, a kitchen, a classroom and a space to further aid and mentor young men in the community.

"We have a corporate citizen that's stepped on board to assist with the community centre. We had a little delay because of the plan, but we have a corporate company that is going to help us with the plan. So far in the community centre we've invested over $16,000. That's for clearing the land, putting down the tiles, supplies ... kitchen supplies, the windows and other blocks. Right now we're asking Grand Bahama, the community to assist us. I'm making a special call out there to anyone who would like to donate."

In addition to the announcement on the progress on the building Seide also announced a successful partnership with the Rotary Club of Freeport, which made several food basket donations to persons in need connected with Reach Out Ministry.

On hand to talk about the initiative was Rotarian Steven Gunn of the Rotary Club of Freeport, who said, "the Freeport food program is a program that has been going on for 10, 15, 25 years. This year we are pleased to contribute again and distribute up to $5,000 worth of food.

"We've got Kellog's cornflakes, to tuna fish, to cooking oil to flour. We're able to distribute to the outer areas and Freeport all the way from West Grand Bahama to Sweeting's Cay," he explained.

"We are pleased to do this it's very rewarding. The one thing people need to keep in mind is that shut-in people are out there and they are not just shut-in they are people in need. When you can donate to your churches, your civic organizations for distribution it is a very important function in our community."

Rotarian Dwayne King of the Rotary Club of Sunrise said, "I've been working with Dudley many years as a friend for over 11 years, and my mother, my father have been working and supporting Dudley through donations and assistance. With this center we will be installing a camera system for the inside on the outside.

"As a Christian and a Rotarian I call on people to assist and donate to any program that is helping people, especially young people. And more so this program, Reach Out Ministry, it's viable, it's 24/7 and he and his wife need as much assistance as they can get," said King.