Ogier has recently donated $1,536.84 to the Cayman Islands National Trust to assist with the repairs of the Fort George historic site in George Town.
The voluntary contribution came from Ogier staff as part of the monthly Dress Down Day donations that the firm has been consistently making to non-profit organisations throughout the year. The Dress Down Day programme involves staff making a charitable donation each week for the novelty of dressing down on a Friday. Funds are collected each week and the total at the end of the month is then matched by the partners of the firm.
William Jones, an attorney at Ogier commented "The Dress Down Programme is a great way for us to give something back to the community and the programme has been structured to allow many charities to benefit. The charities are chosen by staff at the beginning of the year through democratic vote which gives us all a chance to nominate a deserving cause. I have enjoyed supporting the programme this past year and I hope we can raise even more in the year to come".
Ogier's donation was used to cover a portion of the costs associated with the rebuilding of the look-out house at Fort George, as the original was beyond repair, from termites and wood rot According to Denise Bodden, historic programme manager for the National Trust, "The fort has definitely earned a face-lift! Ft. George itself was built in the 1790's while the look-out house was added much later during World War II. Although it has survived hurricanes and nor-westers, time has taken its toll". Ms. Bodden also explained it is one of the very few remaining historic sites of that age on the island still left standing.
"The generosity of benefactors such as Ogier makes the work of the National Trust possible. Thank you to Ogier for helping us to continue our mission to preserve places of historic significance and natural environments for present and future generations".