Telecommunications provider LIME celebrated LIME Kindness Day on March 17, and employees across the region were given time off from work to give voluntary service to community outreach projects.{{more}}

March 17, 2010, marked the inaugural observation of what the company hopes will be an annual event-a-day, on which employees participate in initiatives designed to make things better in the communities in which they live and work. Employees at all levels of the organisation will be aiming to bring some cheer to hundreds of less fortunate people in the 13 countries in which the company operates.

David Shaw, Chief Executive Officer for LIME Caribbean, said: “As one of the largest employers in the Caribbean, we have the capacity to affect change and to positively impact our communities across the region, not only through the provision of telecommunications products and services, but also by giving of our time and energy to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people. We continue to make good on our promise to make the Caribbean a better place for all who live here.”

With the observation of LIME Kindness Day, the company is making good on a promise to its employees to provide financial support for worthy causes that they identify and to give them time off during the work week to participate in a chosen outreach project in their territory.

“LIME already provides financial and other support to a number of organisations and initiatives across the region and now we are pleased to take things to the next level by assisting our employees to give hands-on, voluntary service that can help to make a difference in each country,” Shaw added.

LIME’s employees undertook initiatives ranging from meal programmes for the homeless, less fortunate and elderly; treats and motivational sessions for at-risk youth and mentally challenged children and refurbishment and beautification projects at public facilities.

In St Vincent and the Grenadines LIME employees will be constructing a playground at the paediatric ward of the Milton Cato General Hospital.

Delivering his address at the opening of the playground, General Manager Angus Steele said: “Today marks another very important day for us at LIME. At the SVGCIC 2009 awards ceremony, LIME received the Best in Community award and we have not sat back on our laurels since then. We continue to give back in significant ways to our community and this playground will no doubt leave an indelible mark on the patients at the hospital as they recover from their illnesses. We hope that this project will make their lives more enjoyable.”

Hospital Administrator Fitz Jones expressed the view that more private sector involvement is required to make the hospital experience a better one. “Even though it is expected that government is responsible for health care, this project speaks more to wellness since the children and their parents can spend quality time in the playground during the recuperation process. We want to thank LIME for their generosity and we hope that this is only a start.”

The opening ceremony was aired live on radio and witnessed by doctors, nurses, patients, employees and management of LIME and the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and members of the general public.