Bank invests in two unsung heroes

(CNS): Years of visiting the sick and elderly and focusing on the needs of young women in our community are the reason why Elma Deldee Ebanks, 71, and Madda Whittaker, 38 have been nominated as First Caribbean International Bank’s 2009 Unsung Heroes. The bank’ programme recognizes ordinary Caymanians who do extraordinary things for their community as true heroes are those who give of themselves willingly without the promise of any reward or recognition, and these two women are proud examples of that philosophy the bank said.

“Elma Deldee Ebanks is sometimes lovingly referred to as the Florence Nightingale of the community because she provides assistance and companionship to the sick.   She is also actively involved with two retirement homes engaging in devotion field trips and crafts,” First Caribbean stated in a release about the nominees. “It takes a special person with a special love for her community to sit in hospitals for weeks and months with persons whose own relatives, if there are any, were unable to be there for them.”

The banks second nominee this year is Madda Whittaker who has been involved in the Girls Brigade, a Christian organization that seeks to which seeks to help girls of all ages to grow socially, spiritually and intellectually, for over 20 years.   “In addition to this Ms. Whittaker provides lunch money and school uniforms to youth she has identified as needy within the school where she works and is known to set aside a percentage of her limited salary to do this good work.  She has also provided counseling to inmates at the female prison in the past,” the bank said.

Madda and members of her family also took a baby girl into their home when she was around six. Providing food, shelter and schooling were, to this young girl who is now 16 years old.

Each local Hero will receive a donation of US$6,000 from FirstCaribbean, which will go towards their community work. The two local heroes will now join those in the region being considered for the Caribbean wide title of Unsung Hero.