Motorworld’s Marketing Management Consultant Jacqueline Louis, Vice President of the Collectivité of St. Martin Steven Patrick; SMMC representative Antonio Pantophlet, Candy Maynard Vaughn and Dr. Felix Holiday.
COLE BAY--The Motorworld Group of Companies has donated 15,500 face masks to about thirty front-line organisations on both sides of the island in an effort to help in the fight against the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
The organisations include the government of St. Maarten; Ministry of Justice; the Collectivité of St. Martin; Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital; St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC); St. Maarten Laboratory Services (SLS); White and Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF); Bethany Home for seniors; and more than 20 Dutch- and French-side pharmacies.
“Our commitment to the community has remained steadfast through the highs and lows of life. Therefore, Motorworld has gone above and beyond to purchase these masks and give them away free of charge to these major organisations that are working on the frontlines in order to protect their workers, our frontline heroes and also the community that they serve,” Motorworld Group of Companies Managing Director Tariq Amjad said.
“We are truly glad that we could help alleviate the burden caused by mask shortages and increased cost of personal protective equipment island-wide, while also helping to protect against the life-threatening spread against COVID-19.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), face masks are a vital form of personal protective equipment which have been proven to serve as essential barriers against the spread of the coronavirus. The Motorworld Group made the donation with the health, safety and protection of residents, particularly front-line workers, at heart.
Motorworld said in a press release that recipients had expressed their heartfelt appreciation and sincere gratitude for “the thoughtful contribution,” which was presented along with a “Thank You” letter from Motorworld as a token of appreciation for their sacrifices, courage and hard work to keep the community safe.
“During this very trying time, wearing masks is our new normal. Having corporations within our community such as Motorworld considering ways on how they can assist the staff of the justice chain, especially those on the front line and at our prison, is highly appreciated by our Ministry of Justice and the staff alike.
“Due to the high usage of masks on a daily basis by police, Customs, prison guards, Coast Guards and other members of staff, receiving such a donation is highly valued, and thus, we say ‘thank you’ to the management and staff of Motorworld for thinking of us,” Minister of Justice Anna Richardson was quoted as saying in the release.
Vice President of the Collectivité of St. Martin Valerie Damaseau said: “During these difficult and challenging times, our only hope is that we remain strong, focused and united as we tackle it all together. All gestures of solidarity are steps closer to overcoming this fight. Thank you very much for your donation. We will share this with our district councils who will help distribute to the population. For this we say, ‘Thank you.’”
“On behalf of the Centre Hospitalier Louis-Constant Fleming in St. Martin, I would like to thank you for your generous donation of protective face masks, delivered last week to our medical and paramedical teams. Your support makes a difference and contributes to help our teams fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in a more secure and protected condition.
“These 3,000 masks received will directly be in used in Emergency, Medicine, Paediatric, and Maternity Departments and ultimately add major benefits to help us take care of more patients at the hospital. Thank you again for your support. We appreciate your interest and commitment to help the Centre Hospitalier Louis-Constant Fleming hospital,” General Hospital Director Marie-Antoinette Lampis said.
SMMC and WYCCF expressed gratitude in person, as well as on their social media pages, for Motorworld’s contribution, which will be used in the care of the numerous patients and clients who receive their dedicated medical and care services.
Based on the guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), for maximum effectiveness, there are simple steps to follow on “when” and “how” to wear masks to protect against the coronavirus.
“If you wear a mask, please be sure to follow those guidelines on how to use and dispose of single-use face masks properly. Wear a mask as often as possible for your protection, particularly if you are coughing, sneezing or taking care of someone with COVID-19,” Motorworld said in the release.
The Motorworld Group will be distributing additional personal protective equipment, including face masks, to additional organisations in the coming weeks, as well as to staff and customers once the dealerships reopen.
Additionally, Motorworld Group has launched a Frontline Heroes Facebook campaign to recognise and reward frontline workers who are going above and beyond the call of duty in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With the community working together to stay safe, using proper hygiene with personal protective equipment, frequent hand-washing, practicing social distancing, and following the government mandates to stay safe at home, we shall overcome these trying times,” Motorworld said.
