On Thursday, 1 October, the Bermuda Monetary Authority (Authority or BMA) participated in its Annual Community Day event. As part of this dedicated day of service, employees from across the organisation came together to volunteer, connect, and support a variety of programmes in the local community. Now in its fifth year, the annual event demonstrates a long-standing commitment to supporting environmental, social well-being and health-focused initiatives in Bermuda.
This year, the BMA collaborated with eight different charities and community-serving organisations, giving staff the opportunity to choose the organisation they wished to support. Over 230 staff members spent the day volunteering in children and senior care, gardening and environmental conservation, and cleaning, maintenance, and landscaping.
Highlights included:
- Windreach Bermuda
Volunteers participated in completing an inventory of a hardware and storage area, management of woodlands, animal care and composting that help to improve the facility for individuals with varying support needs
- Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB)
Teams helped to protect Bermuda’s delicate coastal ecosystem by removing litter from various parks and open spaces across the island
- Lefroy House Care Community
Volunteers read to and engaged with residents, helped in the activities department and assisted with maintenance projects that contribute to the quality of life and well-being of senior citizens
- National Museum of Bermuda
At the museum in Dockyard, volunteers worked on painting, landscaping and maintenance to support this worldclass facility in preserving Bermuda’s cultural heritage
- Tomorrow’s Voices
As part of this youth-focused initiative, volunteers participated in activities to help meet the diverse needs of individuals diagnosed with Autism or on the Autism spectrum starting at the age of 2 years old
- Westmeath Residential and Nursing Care Home
Volunteers joined caregivers at the facility in providing person-centred care for senior citizens by reading, walking, talking and assisting with events and fundraising activities for senior citizens
- Bermuda Zoological Society
Through hands-on landscaping, maintenance and gardening activities, volunteers joined the society’s efforts to establish small but powerful native forests that help to combat climate change and deforestation
- The Bermuda National Trust
Dedicated teams put environmental stewardship into action by participating in planting, maintenance and landscaping projects to create a stronghold for native and endemic species while mulching and caring for surrounding woodlands
Shanna Lespere, the Authority’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, stated: “The Annual Community Day reflects the BMA’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and to giving back to our island home. It has become a cornerstone of our employee culture and an enduring tradition of service, bringing our people together to make a meaningful difference in the community. Through initiatives like this, we continue to foster empathy, compassion and social responsibility while contributing to positive change.”
The BMA’s first Community Day took place in 2022 as part of the organisation’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. Over the last four years, it has become a way to strengthen community ties and promote social responsibility and community giving.
Mesheiah Keane, the BMA’s Chief Operating Officer, stated: “Our staff worked together tirelessly this year to make a real difference and to enhance the quality of life for the community. We are proud of their efforts, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to each team member who invested their time, skills and talents in these projects. It is your energy and enthusiasm that continue to make this day so worthwhile.”
