Whitter Group brings good tidings to the poor and needy

MONTEGO BAY, St James

THE philanthropic Whitter Group on Monday donated cheques totalling $500,000 to three organisations that cater for less fortunate individuals in Montego Bay, the lion’s share of which will provide a lifeline to the Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill (CUMI), now struggling to maintain operations as a result of severe financial constraints.

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony held at Whitter Village in Ironshore, Angella Whitter, managing director of the Whitter Group, reflected that she felt compelled to assist upon learning of the looming closure of the cash-strapped non-governmental organisation that has been providing invaluable service to the mentally ill in the city for nearly three decades.

“I read that they (CUMI) were facing closure and just sitting in my chair and looking back I said, ‘No, for a community such as ours where our people are so caring and understanding we shouldn’t really have an institution like that closed’. So, I just said I am going to start to give back from timeto-time and see how we can assist in making that institution continue to serve those persons who are in need,” Whitter explained.

Joy Crooks, the administrator for CUMI, expressed her gratitude for the generosity of the Whitter Group after receiving the symbolic $300,000 cheque, noting that it will go a far way in the provision of two meals daily as well as other physical and therapeutic needs for the 25 clients.

She bemoaned that due to novel coronavirus pandemic the annual charity run, CUMI Come Run, the main fund-raiser for the

(Photos: Alan Lewin) Angella Whitter (third left), managing director of the Whitter Group of Companies, joins (from left) Joy Crooks, administrator at CUMI;S Jacqueline Wilson, matron of the St James Infirmary; and Sandra Henry of the Open Heart Charitable Mission, after presenting them with cheques totalling $500,000 at a ceremony held at the Whitter Village in Ironshore on Monday.