The staff of TSTT Tobago Operations continued to bring cheer during the Christmas Season to families in Tobago who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

During December, staff prepared and distributed hampers consisting of food and grocery items as well toys to help those in need to enjoy the Christmas season. TSTT’s Manager of Support Services, Patricia Edwards-Charles, who along with other staff, executed the initiative which was conceptualized by the Senior Manager Tobago Operations, Frances Simmons, to bring a smile to the faces of those in need. Mrs Edwards-Charles said “As the world continues to be ravaged the rippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have experienced job loss leaving several families without the necessities right here in Tobago.”

Edwards-Charles commented on the team effort to make this drive a reality: “I engaged my peers whose duty was to bring their staff onboard through donations. With these donations we were able to purchase toys, food stuff and other necessities for distribution to create the hampers.”
She said that additionally, the staff was tasked with the responsibility of nominating families within the communities. “Every day our teams are out there, connecting with every strata of the Tobago community and we have interacted with many needy families whose condition have worsened by the pandemic. Our gesture was designed to give back to society, in keeping with our Corporate Social Responsibility.”

The Support Services Manager advised this was not the first time that TSTT spearheaded such a drive as earlier that year, they held a similar initiative.

Senior Manager Tobago Operations at TSTT, Frances Simmons, praised the staff for their efforts and noted that it was a small way of sharing with communities in order to spread a bit of joy in a meaningful way. “Our team is happy that we have been able to do something positive for families and to have helped them have a happy Christmas. We are humbled to have been allowed the opportunity to provide these hampers to those in need. While it is a very challenging time for all of us, we were happy to contribute to such a meaningful venture. More than ever, as the globe, the region and as our beautiful twin-island state, we are called upon to be kind to each other. We must see this as a blessing to be able to help needy families especially at this time of year,” she said.

She applauded the staff for rising to the occasion as she underscored that the team was very eager to provide support even in the midst of their own economic challenges. “The response from the staff was incredible. We are grateful to the individuals who so generously added to the initiative and made it possible for us to fill the hampers. In Tobago, we are known for our caring and supportive culture so this is not out of character for our employees. At TSTT, whenever we approach our staff with an initiative such as this, one that is focused on giving back to our customers, we always get a great response,” Simmons said.

She noted that TSTT is always happy to keep its customers connected and eager to give back to persons in the communities as there is a special joy that comes from sharing with those who have supported throughout the years. “Giving and sharing defines who we are and what we do; it is embedded in our DNA and we will continue to do so. We are committed as individuals and as an organization to the people of Tobago. We recognize that our corporate social responsibility doesn’t begin and end at Christmas and we aim to continue through our social programmes and ventures, to ensure that the people of Tobago continue to enjoy a better quality of life”.

She added: “At TSTT, we are committed to being a good corporate citizen. Giving back to the communities that have supported us over the years was especially meaningful as we believe that every family must have the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season. Our Tobago team at TSTT came together to make that happen – because together we can actively contribute to a place where no one gets left behind.”