"Be a Friend.  Make a Friend."

National Friendship Day
THIRTEENTH ANNIVERSARY

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

November 26, 2025; November 25, 2026
The fourth Wednesday in November each year.
This day first launched on November 23, 2011, in a Civic Ceremony on the Southern Recreation Grounds.
Official remarks were given by His Excellency Sir Authur A. Foulkes, Governor General for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas
The Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band and soprano soloist, Nikita Wells, provided the music.

"The Bahamas, beautiful islands
Where there is sun, sand, sea, and friendship."
 

The Purpose

National Friendship Day is designed to rekindle or cultivate and inspire long-term friendship relationships among the citizens and residents of The Bahamas.   It is another avenue to rejuvenate a spirit of togetherness, respect for one another, unity and a healthy national pride.   The goal is to develop in each individual the responsibility to restore and keep The Bahamas a friendly nation.

Let us care for each other during this most difficult time. Do not let the pandemic destroy our friendship for one another.  Rekindle or make friendships by using WhatsApp, the telephone, a video messenger, etc.

 

Every citizen, resident, visitor

Every warm-blooded human being residing in The Bahamas.

Black and white, religious and non-religious people.

Every business--bank, hotel, restaurant, convenient store, food store chain, gas station, book store, hardware store, lumber yard, mechanic shop, laundry, community library, hospital, clinic, laboratory, legal firm, etc.

Every educational institution--preschool to university

Every government ministry/agency.

Every religious faith center-church, synagogue, assembly, etc.

 

What Can Individuals or Businesses

Do on National Friendship Day?

 

1. Wish everyone you see in person or speak with via electronic mediums, "Happy Friendship Day."

2. Have a Zoom/Virtual friendship party, talent show, get together.

3. Be friendly and kind to everyone you meeting on that day.

4. Go out of your way to make a new, long-lasting friendship.

5. Renew a lost friendship.

6. Make is a point to go outside your comfort zone to connect to someone on that day.

7. Help a neighbor to do something.

8. Do something special for a co-worker.

9. Send a friendly note or friendship letter to someone .

10. Give a cooked meal to a friend or neighbor.

11. Send a friendship card (electronic or hardcopy) to people on your email/snail mail list.

12. Have a corner or neighborhood friendship fun-time festival/party

13. Have a Friendship Sunday/Sabbath in Churches during the nearest worship day to National Friendship Day.  During that time use the Friendship Pledge and Friendship Song as a part of the service.  The sermon should be on cultivating and maintaining friendship.

14. Have a Friendship Assembly on National Friendship Day in Schools.    Use the Friendship Pledge and Friendship Song during as special Friendship Assembly.  Have a guest speaker share on the importance of friendship.

15. And lots more . . .

 

 

What Can Businesses Do on National Friendship Day?

1. Have a Friendship Day discount or sale on all or select items

2. Have a Friendship Day treat/party at the workplace for the public

3. Encourage staff to be extra friendly on that day. 

4. Give away friendship balloons, cookies, tea, water, etc. to everyone shopping at the store

5. Let the staff ware the Friendship Day colors (yellow or pink)

6. Turn Friendship Day into a sharing day on the job. Every employee brings a simple gift to give to another employee on that day.

7. And much more

The Friendship Pledge

Driven by the spirit of friendship for my family, neighborhood and country,

I pledge:

My out stretched hands to serve and protect you
My attentive ears to care and listen to you
My winsome smiles to cheer and warm you
My rightly spoken words to inform and guide you
My time, efforts and motives to do to you as I would have you do to me;
So together, under God we remain one people, UNITED.

Written by Patrice Williams-Gordon

Member of the National Friendship Committee (c) 2011

 

Download Friendship Pledge Handout

Songs to Inspire Friendship Day

 

1. "Try and Little Kindness"  -- Secular, Glen Campbell

2. "Anytime You Need a Friend" -Secular, Maria Carey

3. "Gift of a Friend" - Demi Lovato

4. "One Love"  Bob Marley

5. "That's What Friends Are For" -Secular, Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder

6. "Thank You for Being Friend" - Secular, Andrew Gold

7. "Lean on Me" -Secular

8. "Friends" - Religious, Michael W Smith

9. "My Lord and I" -Religious Hymn by Mary Ann Shorey and Hubert P. Main

10. "What A Friend We Have in Jesus" -Religious

11. "O Sacred Bond of Friendship" - Classical by Mozart

12. "Felix Mendelssohn: 6 Gesange, Op. 34" - Classical

13. "Anton Rubinstein: 2 Melodies, Op. 3" - Classical

14. Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, "Pathetique" - Classical

The Bahamas Friendship Anthem

This can be used in school, church, radio

[ LISTEN ]

 

Friendship Chords

Lyrics and Music by Marguerite Samuel (c) 2011

 

Let all the nation join us in love and friendship chords,

For each of us was given a life to share his love.

Be kind to those who do you wrong, and smile to cheer their day.

This simple act of grace will change the pattern of disgrace.

 

We cannot let our quarrels and preconceived ideas,

Erase divine compassion, benevolence and grace.

For in our sin God ransomed us, defeated every grave.

But if we love beyond ourselves, our problems He will take.

 

When someone seems too angry and their frustration stings,

Make sure to think beyond their present so distinct.

Reach out to them; don't mind the sting, for God's love conquers all.

Your kind embrace will melt disdain on our Bahamian shores.

National Friendship Anthem Sheet Music

The Bahamas Friendship Council

Barrington H. Brennen, Founding Chair
Patrice Williams-Gordon
Pastor Danhugh Gordon
Michelle Malcolm
Ambrosine Huyler Higgs
Rev Angela Palacious
Rev James Palacious
Nikolette Eldon
Dr. Edrica Richardson
Dr. Stephanie Hutcheson
Rev Melvin Grant