Marie Atkins residents receive holiday cheer
For Carol Patterson, a resident at the Marie Atkins Night Shelter (MANS), receiving gifts at Christmas is something to which she looks forward.
This year, she was more than happy when JN Money Services (JNMS) presented her and other residents of the shelter with gifts at the remittance company’s annual Christmas luncheon recently.
Patterson, a resident at the shelter since 2015, appreciated the gifts and the luncheon, which was held at the MANS in downtown Kingston.
“I was happy for the bag and the other items I received,” said Patterson. “Whenever I get a parttime job, I need to carry items with me. Therefore, this gift will definitely benefit me, as it will allow me to move around much easier.”
Before becoming a resident of the MANS, Patterson worked in Negril with an expatriate family.
However, she lost her job when her employer went home. Consequently, she returned to Kingston but she was unable to secure employment to pay her rent.
Not wanting to live on the streets, she moved into the MANS.
NOT SAFE
“I lived with my son for a while. However, he lost his job and moved in with friends. Therefore, I decided to come here rather than live on the streets, because it’s not safe,” she explained.
MANS, a project of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), in partnership with Food For The Poor, The Salvation Army, and the police, provides shelter and meals for many homeless persons.
Natasha Levy, marketing manager of JNMS, owners and operators of the JN Money brand, said that the annual luncheon was part of the remittance company’s corporate social responsibility during the Christmas season.
“Christmas is a time to give and spread good cheer to everyone around us,” said Levy. “This year, rather than just giving the residents at the Marie Atkins Night Shelter a traditional luncheon, we decided to also give them small gifts, to assist them daily.”
Mavis Farquharson, acting inspector of the poor for the KSAMC, said everyone appreciated the generosity.
“We look forward to the company’s assistance at this time of the year. The residents look forward to the treat annually, and the number increases every Christmas,” she said. “We express our gratitude to JN Money for their contribution this year, and hope to receive support from other companies.”
Horace Hines, general manager, JNMS, said that the money transfer company was committed to supporting Jamaicans at home and abroad, especially at this time of year.
GIVING BACK
“We also believe in giving back to people and assisting those in need, as part of our commitment to improving the lives of Jamaicans,” he said. “We always look forward to treating the residents at the Marie Atkins Night Shelter because of the joy it brings us. We are happy to contribute good cheer at this time of the year, and believe in helping others, particularly at Christmas.”