Promoters give love on Xmas day
Event promoters Romaine “Luigi” Brown, Jywanza Hall, and Dino Derell made Christmas Day a little special for the less fortunate in downtown Kingston.
Brown — through his Luigi Society music label — and Hand in Hand Foundation (operated by Hall and Derell) donated boxes of food, masks, toiletries, beverages, and tin food to more than 2,000 people in the city’s capital.
Brown explained the reason behind the initiative.
“It’s something we always wanted to do and now with the global pandemic, we thought it was mandatory at this particular time. The CEO of Hand in Hand Foundation is Jywanza
Hall and his business associate Dino Derell, who are also business partners of mine, and they extended the invitation to partner for the venture. We realised that with the partnership we could reach to more people,” Brown told the Jamaica Observer.
Brown, Hall, and Derell are promoters of Daybreak and Allure party series.
Brown has promoted other events, including Cross Di
Wataz, Image, and Hennessey V. A music producer, he recently released the Sikario rhythm which features songs from established and up-and-coming acts, including Chronic
Law, Munga Honorable, Teejay, Popcaan, Dane Ray, Press Kay, and Natural Flamez.
The Hand in Hand Foundation was founded in 2009 and has been giving back to the less fortunate on Christmas Day since. However, this is the first time that Brown and his other business associates, including Ewan Campbell, Craig Mclean, Damon Gayle, Dwaine Mcfarlane, Gerald Russell, Mike Marsh, and Hilltop Records have come on board.
Brown said the initiative would become a regular one.
“It will definitely be a yearly initiative, as it was already and may even be done twice per year now with this partnership.”
Residents of downtown Kingston as well as relief centres on Church, Hanover, and Gold streets were beneficiaries this year.
“The meals were prepared by a contracted chef, Woldle Maskel, in Old Harbour. They were then packaged and dispatched by our team,” Brown explained.
According to Brown, the initiative would not have been possible without the kind support of a number of companies and individuals.
“A number of persons supported this initiative. We take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed in any way, shape or form. Thanks to Gracekennedy, Wisynco, staff from the National Housing Trust, and the Jamaica Mental Health Advocacy Network,” Brown added.
JAMAICA National Group made good on its promise to kickstart the Christmas season with a concert dubbed Together We’re Strong on Sunday, December 20.
More than 40,000 people across the group’s social media platforms tuned in and remained glued for two hours of performances from instrumentalists, singers and poets; and for reminiscences of Christmas traditions, present and past.
The event — organised to raise funds for hundreds of children cared for by the Mustard Seed Communities —provided a boon for the charity, currently reeling from COVID-19 which has significantly affected its sources of funding.
Co-hosted by comedic duo Ian “Ity” Ellis and Alton “Fancy Cat” Hardware, and the husband-and-wife team of Tami Chyn and Wayne
Marshall as well as their three sons, the concert served up 120 minutes of captivating entertainment, which started at 2:00 pm.
The show was capped by Reggae Queen Marcia Griffiths, who did not disappoint in style or performance for her first concert in more than nine months.
She received virtual encores, as viewers asked for more of her popular hits: Dreamland; The Electric Slide; and I Shall Sing, which were all complemented by energetic dance moves.
2013 Voice winner, Tessanne Chin, added to the soaring performances, belting beautiful notes, which received a plethora of positive reactions from social media, which responded with fire emojis to show their delight with her performance.of note was her moving rendition of
Christmas ballad Mary Did
You Know and her pre-voice hit song, Hideaway.
JN Group Brand Ambassador Kevin Downswell brought praise down on the house with soulful gospel songs from his catalogue of hits. Fellow ambassador, Agent Sasco, represented dancehall with several of his conscious songs, including Almighty Protect Me.
No-maddz, Sons of Mystro, Energy Plus mento band, and newcomer
Jamila Falak added to the diverse mix of art and entertainment.
In his message to viewers, JN Group’s Chief Executive Officer Earl Jarrett reminded viewers of the cause.
“As we celebrate the advent of Christ, who represents the ultimate gift to all mankind, let us, in turn, give to others in a
meaningful way, as He has freely given to us. Each donation will go a far way in improving the life of a child at Mustard Seed,” he said.
“Your ‘mustard seed’ can grow into an ‘oak tree’ that will provide shelter for children in need. I encourage you to give generously as we are our brothers’ keepers,” he underscored.
In her summation of the concert, JN Group’s member ombudsman, Claudine
Allen, expressed gratitude to Jamaicans and supporters of Jamaica, locally and overseas, for their support.
”We are very thankful for the massive outpouring of love from Jamaicans all over the world, and more importantly, the donations and pledges to support our vulnerable children through the Mustard Seed Communities,” she said.
She encouraged persons to continue to donate and invited them to relive the exciting concert via the group’s social media platforms.
Persons can continue to donate to Mustard Seed Communities by depositing or transferring cash to their JN Bank Chequing Account # 20000155091, registered to Mustard Seed Missionaries. Transfers can be done online using JN LIVE online banking or making a local bank transfer (ACH or RTGS) from any bank in Jamaica; or simply depositing via any JN Bank Smart ATM or Drop Box.
Donations can also be made using a credit card at mustardseed.com; while Jamaicans and others overseas have the option to also visit a JN Money location or use jnmoneyonline.com. Fees have been waived for transactions conducted at a JN Money location.