Every year Jamaica Impact (JAMPACT) and United for Jamaica (UFJ) 501(c) 3 non profit organizations, based in New York and Atlanta, Georgia, respectively, teamed up with Jamaican non profit organization, Chichibud for the annual Christmas Treats for three basic schools in Jamaica. This year the organizations got a little help from famed Reggae singer and Rising Star TV judge, Nadine Sutherland. The Christmas treats this year were held at JAMPACT’s adopted basic schools, Coles, Crescent, and St. Stephens over a two day period.
Volunteers from the aforementioned organizations along with Sutherland, who was invited by UFJ, were thrilled to be a part of the day’s fun-filled activities. Students from Crescent, Coles and St. Stephen’s basic schools were fed, given gifts and participated in Christmas carols sing-a-longs.
This year’s Christmas treats had the largest turnout to date, with close to twenty volunteers on hand. United for Jamaica member and former Ms. Georgia Caribbean 2006-2007 Kemisha Powell said, "It was a heartwarming experience, the children were full of love and energy for anyone who walked through the door.” Powell, still moved by this volunteer experience reflected positively. “They were so appreciative of the whole experience and they were just yearning for some attention. Next year I want it to be bigger and better for them."
Rebecca Tortello, Education Consultant of Chichibud observed that the kids had a great time - singing, dancing, colouring and playing with several JAMPACT, UFJ and Chichibud volunteers and their teachers. “Everyone was in full Christmas spirit,” she said.
Local businesses, i.e. Burger King, Crazy Jim Ice Cream, George Azan and Co., and the Gleaner Co and Ltd returned to support the NGOs efforts. Funds were raised to make the treats a success for two hundred and fifty children and their teachers.
Tortello noted that the children and teachers enjoyed their gifts and all three schools also received their annual selection of school supplies. She said, “Even more teaching materials are on their way courtesy of UFJ. All three NGOS look forward to working together to make next year's treat an even greater success.”
Jamaica Impact President Kamar Samuels echoed the sentiments of his colleagues. “The Christmas Treats are a great opportunity for our members to spend quality time with the children.” Samuels concluded that JAMPACT has plans to further engage and empower the students and the teachers of their adopted basic schools. “Our objective,” noted Samuels, “is to make our schools, models for basic schools across Jamaica.”
UFJ group member Omahar Stephenson said, “Spending Christmas time serving the children in those basic schools was both a pleasure and a humbling experience.” Stephenson, who also happens to be the Ambassador-elect of Commerce for Jamaica with the International Business Council of Florida, mentioned that serving the children is one of the greatest gifts we can give to Christ on his birthday. “I am honoured to have been invited by UFJ and look forward to serving the kids in a bigger and better way this year!”
“It was an incredible rush to see the enjoyment, and sheer innocence on the children's faces,” said Nadine Sutherland. “I felt as though I had the treat. Being with them was a delight that lit my soul for several days.”
UFJ President Jason Walker remarked recalled how the organization got involved in this wonderful project. “Four years ago UFJ decided to be a part of this great activity; we wanted to help make an impact by giving a little back.”
Walker acknowledge and thanked companies like Crazy Jim Ice Cream distributed by Smith & Stewart distributors for providing ice cream for these students, Air Jamaica who assisted in transporting the school supplies, and Bethel Baptist Church for their tremendous efforts in coordinating the school supplies delivery.
The following week United for Jamaica representatives’ delivered an assortment of school bags, writing utensils and other school supplies from their UFJ School Supplies Drive. Donations came from as far as California and Florida.
United for Jamaica representatives expressed their intent to continue their participation in these activities each year and to try and get more persons involved. For more information on United for Jamaica go to www.unitedforjamaica.org, for JAMPACT www.jampact.org, and Chichibud www.chichibud.org.