First Citizens “Powerhouses” Show How Much They Care

May 24th, 2023 | Related To: First Citizens

Showing We Care TOGETHER. Anthony I. Smart – Chairman, First Citizens (3rd from left) and Karen Darbasie - Group CEO, First Citizens (3rd from right) are all smiles with Staff Volunteers at Cashew Gardens, Chaguanas. — Showing We Care TOGETHER. Anthony I. Smart – Chairman, First Citizens (3rd from left) and Karen Darbasie – Group CEO, First Citizens (3rd from right) are all smiles with Staff Volunteers at Cashew Gardens, Chaguanas.

First Citizens was thrilled to get into action for United Way Trinidad and Tobago’s National Day of Caring. Through its Inter-House Programme, the Group mobilised its employees, with volunteers beginning restoration, construction and beautification works at various locations, from as early as the crack of dawn.

Leading the charge in the North were the Blue Battalions and Red Spartans Houses, who worked alongside the community of Maracas, to assist the North Coast Pan Serenaders with a major facelift to their facility, used for steelpan practice, vacation camps and other community initiatives.

Jason Julien - Group Deputy CEO – Business Generation hard at work at the North Coast Pan Serenaders camp — Jason Julien – Group Deputy CEO – Business Generation hard at work at the North Coast Pan Serenaders camp

Meanwhile, the Central/South Zone saw the efforts of the Yellow Patriots and Green Army coming together, to uplift the community of Cashew Gardens, Chaguanas. Work included replacement of their greenhouse roof, planting seedlings in the green space and much needed repair to the perimeter fence for their play park.

Across in our sister isle, all four houses joined forces and concentrated their efforts in creating a storage area for the First Citizens Tobago Pan-Thers Steel Orchestra to house their steelpan equipment.

Karen Darbasie - Group CEO, First Citizens helps with planting at the Cashew Gardens Community Green House. — Karen Darbasie – Group CEO, First Citizens helps with planting at the Cashew Gardens Community Green House.

Present at Cashew Gardens, First Citizens Group Chief Executive Officer, Karen Darbasie said she was “proud to see the Group’s anniversary theme, Together…30 and Beyond aligning so perfectly with the NDOC, as the day brought executive members, employees and members of the community together.”

Hugo Ford – Band Leader, North Coast Pan Serenaders (right) thanks Dr. Sterling Frost O.R.T.T. – Group Deputy CEO – Operations & Administration and Chairman – First Citizens Foundation for First Citizens support.

Adding his support onsite at Maracas, Chairman of the First Citizens Foundation, Dr. Sterling Frost O.R.T.T., said the “First Citizens teams were truly powerhouses, who proved that they were not afraid to down their pens and get to work, to bring sustainable impact to the various NGOs.”

North Coast Pan Serenaders, Cashew Gardens Community Council and Tobago Pan-Thers Steel Orchestra are current beneficiaries of the First Citizens Community Programme and the Group looks forward to ongoing partnerships with the entities, as it continues to demonstrate its commitment and care to our communities.

Back to Articles