The Bennet & Bernard Foundation
The Bennet & Bernard Foundation stands as the philanthropic arm of the Bennet and Bernard Group, dedicated to championing a wide array of social causes. Embedded within the very fabric of our company is a steadfast commitment to giving back to society, a principle that permeates every facet of our endeavors, including our social initiatives.
At the helm of this noble pursuit is the director, Fabiola Mendes e Rodrigues, together with the support of the Founder & Chairman Mr. Lincoln Bennet Rodrigues and Co-Founder & CEO Lindsay Bernard Rodrigues, whose unwavering passion and hands-on approach ensure that our efforts resonate deeply within the communities we serve.
Our dedication to the welfare of street pets has led to the establishment of the Rooney Marlee Animal Welfare Trust (RMAWT), a beacon of hope for street dogs and cats in need. Collaborating closely with esteemed NGOs such as the Goa Animal Welfare Trust (GAWT), Worldwide Veterinary Services India, and People for Animals Goa, RMAWT initiatives have aimed at curbing the stray animal population through spaying and neutering programs. By addressing the root causes of overpopulation, we strive to prevent the heartbreaking cycle of abandoned animals roaming our streets and markets, alleviating the strain on both the animals and our communities.
The precedent set by its Director, Fabiola Mendes e Rodrigues; together with the support of the Founder & Chairman Mr. Lincoln Bennet Rodrigues and Co-Founder & CEO Mr. Lindsay Bernard Rodrigues, has reverberated through the ways of each and every employee within the group with a personal want to bring a little more joy into someone else’s life. Unwittingly, in our own little ways the team thus brings a little more humanity into the world. Such is the ultimate goal of the Management of Bennet and Bernard and the Group as a whole.
Rooney Marlee Animal Welfare
Rooney Marlee Animal Welfare Trust (RMAWT) is the street animal welfare vertical of the Bennet and Bernard Group, under which all sorts of social causes are driven. Giving back to the society is an ethos of the company over the years, and the commitment to be the benchmark in every endeavour, pans this vertical too. Our support has spanned almost every animal welfare NGO in Goa, in small and big ways.
Rooney Marlee Animal Welfare trust has contributed to the creation of better cattery spaces in three NGOs for Animal Rescue Centre (Arc) Canacona, Goa Animal Welfare Trust (GAWT- Cuchorem) and People For Animal (PFA) Vasco.
The future of better street animal welfare lies in the reduction of stray pet population. Puppies or kittens have a dismal chance of survival on the streets, and if they do, are prone to several illnesses, and in some case just difficult lives. While communities have raised themselves to support stray pets, with growing numbers this is not scalable to sustain. With this in the background, RMAWT strives to increase efforts in pet sterilisation efforts, lending funding support and being a strong operations partner with organisations like PFA, GAWT, WVS in collectively working towards street pet reduction.
FEEDING THOSE FORGOTTEN
Food rations were scarce for the people of Goa during the period of lockdown and at these times the stray animals were as well severely impacted. They were however not forgotten by the team at Bennet and Bernard. Our Group undertook the task of providing for people and feeding the stray animals across various areas in the state.
ONLINE MUSIC CONCERT TO HELP A CAUSE
Bennet and Bernard hosted an online concert in aid of WVS Hicks ITC (Street Animal Welfare). The Digital Charity Concerts were live streamed on their YouTube channel and for each YouTube subscriber Rs. 50 was contributed towards WVS Goa.
The concerts were also streamed at Old Age Homes, providing fun and entertainment to our old and perhaps a forgotten sect of society.
Looking Within Yourself
EDUCATION EFFORTS FOR THE OLD AND THE YOUNG
In another initiative to help those in difficulties, Bennet and Bernard group donated and assisted in the CSR efforts carried out in Arunachal Pradesh by the missionaries of St Francis Xavier assisting with the setting up of a free school for the children of the tribal people and the tea workers in the area since no school was available for them or the kids were unable to go to school due to poverty.
The group donated to the cause and helped in their efforts in opening a free school for kids and as well as education to the old in that area who are unable to read or write, helping them to read and stay abreast of what is happening in the world.
Spreading Christmas Cheer
The Bennet and Bernard Group believes in the concept of giving all year through. The various causes and activities they undertake is a clear indication of what the group holds value to. Hence, it was but natural that at the time of giving, their efforts to provide their “Acts of Kindness” would not be weakened. The Group undertook various activities to go above and beyond and make Christmas more meaningful for others.
A week-long event called “Be Kind to a Pet” was organised within the group. The team provided food to stray dogs around their homes and vicinity. The team also went out on a food drive to feed the stray dogs; in Panjim and Margao as well as in industrial estates around the state where the dogs in those areas were not being fed with a change in business practices and a lot of offices being closed in industrial estates.
On the 10th of December; with the Christmas season ongoing, the group decided to do something nice for the elderly, to make Christmas a little more merrier for them. The team hence organised a sumptuous home-cooked Goan meal for the inhabitants of the St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged in Bastora.
The construction workers at various construction sites were also thought of during this time of giving. Their health and hygiene; which may not be thought of as often, were provided with ‘Kindness Kits’. These kits included grooming items for men and sanitizers which were provided to them at various sites in Assagao.
Not forgetting the less fortunate families of Goa; the Bennet and Bernard Team; in collaboration with El Shaddai Charitable Trust, went out onto the roads to provide food kits to families and kids on the roads.
Bennet and Bernard Covid Diaries
SHELTER FOR THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS
On the onset of lockdown, almost all police personnel’s were on round-the-clock duty ensuring people were kept indoors and safe. Bennet and Bernard decided to do their bit for these front-line workers helping us and thus raised canopy tents to provide shade and shelter to those personnel on lockdown duty at various check posts around Goa. We provided canopies for shade and refreshments were organised for them while on duty.
BAKING FOR THE NEEDY
The Bennet and Bernard’s Bakery team worked tirelessly during those difficult times and made bread for distribution to the needy and less fortunate on the streets around the state.
KEEPING YOU SAFE AND FED
At a time when stringent measures of lockdown were in place and people were asked to stay indoors, food rations were of the essence. At these difficult times, Bennet and Bernard sought authorisation and organised to mobilise home deliveries of Artisan Deli cold cuts to various homes at different locations in Goa.
Address
The Bennet & Bernard House
13/158, near Francisco Luis Gomes Garden, Campal, Panaji, Goa 403001
sales@bnbcustomhomes.com
T: (+91) 9019110055
