Spring 2023 BBS Newsletter
Update from the Board of Directors
After several years as the Chief Financial Officer for the BBS, Stuart Keirle has retired from this position. Stuart was instrumental in helping navigate the distribution of relief funds throughout the pandemic. Between March 2020 and December 2021 the BBS provided more financial assistance than in any previous time in the history of the charity. We are grateful for his help (and sense of humor!) during these challenging times. Stuart will remain on the Investment Committee and pop into as many social events as he can fit into his calendar!
Our new CFO, Steve Wares, is no stranger to the British Community, and we are thrilled that Steve has accepted this role! Steve is a UK qualified chartered management accountant and past-President of the British American Business Council. He has spent the past 25 years working with growth stage technology companies helping them with their international expansion support needs including global payroll, accounting, tax, compliance and HR. Steve has lived in the Bay Area since 2005 with his wife, two children and two dogs.
Everyone at the BBS is looking forward to working with Steve and we are grateful for all of the help and time given by our volunteer offices and members of our Board of Directors.
BBS Relief
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We thought we might take a different approach at sharing some of our relief cases by highlighting the themes of the requests we receive. In these incredibly personal and sensitive stories, the BBS and Relief Committee continue to provide life altering assistance to British nationals who have quite literally no where else to turn for help.
Single Mother
We received word of a stranded single mother, without power in her apartment and in need of repatriation assistance. Her husband suffered a psychotic break and expected to remain under care indefinitely. She had no extended family in the US and was basically on her own, without any support system.
With permission of the father, the BBS provided repatriation for this young mother and her four year old daughter.
Compassionate Assistance
A young family contacted the BBS requesting financial support as they continue to struggle financially from the impact of the pandemic. Because of medical reasons, the youngest of their two children needed formula – a large expense. They couldn’t afford childcare and do not have family in the US – resulting in the need for one parent to be home at all times. The family asked for a small amount of money to help make ends meet as the mother searches for work options.
The BBS provided funds to help cover two months rent, utility bills and money for food.
Pensioner
The Relief Committee responded to a pensioner suffering from extraordinarily difficult health issues stemming from COPD. He asked for financial assistance to help purchase a portable breathing machine with a spare battery. As of recently, he has needed this specific machine in order to attend multiple medical visits per day. Without it, he risked having to go to the emergency room when he was away from his home breathing machine for an extended period of time. And because of recent extreme weather, he is worried that loss of power will cause him to have further dependence on the portable machine. To compound the situation, his monthly utility bills have increased in cost, causing even more demand on his fixed income. Facing overdue utility payments he was unsure of where to turn.
The BBS has provided him with funds to cover the cost of the portable machine, battery and utility bills. His situation is difficult and the Relief Committee is hopeful that these funds will help him with his immediate needs.
BBS Events
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