Mayor’s charity ball hits J$3-million target

FOLLOWING THE successful staging of the second Mayor of Montego Bay’s Charity Ball last weekend, the St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC) is promising to put an extra smile on the faces of the main beneficiaries, the shut-ins and the less fortunate, this Christmas.

Councillor Homer Davis, the mayor of Montego Bay and the chairman of the StJMC, said over 320 persons, inclusive of many prominent persons from corporate Montego Bay, attended the charity event, which met its target of $3 million after expenses. The amount is $500,000 more than what was netted at last year’s inaugural staging.

“The proceeds from the event will help to finance the five Christmas treats across each of the five constituencies in the parish,” explained Davis. “It will also be used for our regular street-feeding programme, where we normally feed about 100 people. This includes those living on the streets, shut-ins, and the elderly.”

TRANSPARENCY

According to Davis, the funds will be handled with the highest level of transparency and equity. He said some of the funds will also be used to package some 400 gifts to donate to the underprivileged this holiday.

“So, we won’t leave them (underprivileged) behind. As a municipality, we can only do so much and no more, and this is why I am saying to the wider Montego Bay and St James, those who can afford it, please extend a loving hand. I am sure a kind gesture will put a smile on someone’s face.

“My special appeal would be to let us help those very unfortunate ones around us. Let us give not only a helping hand, but a loving hand, and if each of us can extend a loving hand, then I am sure that all our citizens and those who are less fortunate can enjoy a brighter day,” added Davis.

Davis said that despite everything that is taking place in Montego Bay, in terms of the instability caused by crime, he is looking for a peaceful Christmas season in the Second City.