WASHINGTON, D.C., April 21, 2021 — His Excellency Sidney Collie, Bahamas Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), along with Theo Neilly, Bahamas Consul General to Washington, D.C., and diplomatic staff were invited to Andrews Airforce Base in Suitland, Maryland, to observe military personnel as they loaded 100 donated computers for Bahamian students impacted by Hurricane Dorian onboard a C-130 military aircraft destined for Nassau, Bahamas.
The large computer donation is a result of an initiative spearheaded by Mr. Jay Lightfoot of Northumberland High School and the Virginia STAR Program, a training and refurbishment program that teaches students to refurbish surplus computer hardware. The computers are then distributed to communities in need.
This is the second shipment of computers donated to Bahamian students through the program. On December, 18, 2019 seventy-seven computers were donated by students from Northumberland High School STAR program.
Ambassador Collie took the opportunity to express gratitude on behalf of the Bahamian people to Mr. John Polhemus, Deputy Director, U.S. Airforce; Colonel Buchanan, U.S. Airforce; and Major Ben Mattalino, who will pilot the aircraft to The Bahamas. Ambassador Collie also thanked Jay Lightfoot and the Virginia Star Program.
