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by pltm
(PLTM) - As part of K-Mark’s Foods (1996) Ltd (OneMart) 35th-anniversary celebrations, 30 current and 40 former staff members were made shareholders of the family-owned company.
President of the Purcell-based supermarket, Fourth District Representative Hon. Mark Vanterpool said during a ceremony to mark the occasion on Thursday, November 25, they wanted to “acknowledge the hard work” of their staff and make them an official part of OneMart.
He continued: “So a number of workers in the company will become shareholders of the company and this is their certificate to let them know that they will become a part of the company as of today. A number of these persons have been with us through the journey.”
Of the 30 current staff who were made shareholders included Simon Robin who was named the longest-serving staff of 32 years, followed by Lennox McPherson who came into the company 31 years ago.
“We want to let you know that this is our policy that staff who has been with us for five years or more will receive the opportunity to have some shares although it will be a small amount, we want to make them a part of us. Like I said we had 1200 people pass through our hands and we want to thank them for being there at some point.”
Meanwhile, Hon. Vanterpool said the company was also recognizing 40 former employees who helped the company along its 35-year journey.
“We want to recognize them and thank them and let them know that we are grateful for their involvement,” he said.
One of the former staff members who will become a shareholder is Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Hon. Vincent Wheatley who was a manager for four years.
Two close friends of the Vanterpool family – Dion Anselm and Kamau Georges (renowned saxophonist) – were also made shareholders in the company.
Car Promo
In the meantime, Hon. Vanterpool informed that their Christmas promotion has commenced.
“We are giving away some gifts this year, we are starting with our cars (two Hyundai i10) that you can win. Spend $50 or more and you put your name in the basket and we will call you,” he said.
He added: “This year we decided to honour our sister islands because what happens every year when we do these draws, because the sister islands are not down there every day they don’t get the opportunity to win. So what we have done this year is we have a sister islands box, which is Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada and if you live on Cooper Island or Peter Island, you can drop your name in that box so that you can get a chance also. So somebody on the sister islands will win a car this year.”
He said other prizes will be given away commencing on December 13th to the 24th in the 12 nights of Christmas giveaway.
Donations
The company also donated $3,500 checks each to the Family Support Network (FSN), Red Cross and the BVI Health Services Authority in support of their continued work in the territory.
There were congratulatory remarks by Premier and Minister for Finance Hon. Andrew Fahie, Opposition Leader Hon. Marlon Penn, Sixth District Representative Hon. Alvera Maduro Caines, Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development Hon. Shereen Flax-Charles as well as former Education Minister Myron Walwyn.
