On the eve of the Republic Day, nearly 50 elderly living alone in the Garadagh district received holiday food parcels from McDermott Caspian Contractors, Inc. (McDermott), Trend reports citing announcement by the company.
On May 26, representatives of McDermott and Garadagh Committee of the Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society visited the elderly in Qizil Dash, Lokbatan, Sahil and other settlements, congratulated them on the occasion of the Republic Day and delivered the parcels which included not only food, but also some household utensils.
The charity event was organized within a food distribution project sponsored by McDermott and implemented by the Society since April 2005. Every month the project beneficiaries receive food parcels comprising potato, rice, sunflower oil, flour, buckwheat, sugar, butter, vegetables up to 20 items in total. Providing the elderly with special food packages and presents for holidays such as New Year or Novruz Bayram has become another good tradition supported by McDermott, in addition to a long-term tradition to celebrate holidays with disadvantaged children. In 2003-2006, McDermott sponsored more than 10 New Year and Novruz Bayram parties for orphans and handicapped children residing in boarding houses in Mardakan and Ahmedli settlements and for children of veterans, disabled and families of the fallen in the Garabagh war living in the Garadagh district.
To date, McDermott charity sponsorship in Azerbaijan has amounted to nearly $130,000. For 2006, McDermott has allocated a budget of approximately $100,000 for company charitable contributions and support to local community projects, mainly in the Garadagh district where the company operates. The programs supported by McDermott range from water supply to a 1,400-person settlement for Internally Displaced Persons in Sheki region to repair of a school N 134 in Buta settlement to sports and educational programs for disadvantaged children.