Over 300 locals received aid from Old Harbour and Friends Association

The annual community outreach initiative, this time saw over 300 locals receiving support in the form of care packages, medical checks and back-to-school items.

Additionally, the New York-based diaspora group donated two desktop computers to the Old Harbour Library, six laptop computers, as well as six financial grants to students in the area.

Held at the Old Harbour Primary School, the event organisers marked the occasion by specially recognizing Mrs Beverly Taylor with the OHFA Special Citizens Recognition Award for her many years of service to the community and longstanding sponsors Farmers Jerk Centre and O’Jay Koolers.

The event carried greater significance this time around than in previous years, as it came at a time when Jamaicans on the island are recovering from the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Beryl, a major category four storm.

Custos Rotulorum of St Catherine, Mrs Icylin Golding; OHFA President Lavern Robinson; and founding member of the OHFA Hugh Robinson, addressed the gathering with the latter noting that the organization, which has been operating for over 30 years, is “now seeing the fruits of its labour, as past scholarship recipients are among the ones who are now giving back to the community”.

“Therefore we are empowered to continue the journey of giving back,” he added.

Mrs Robinson also noted that “our organization has its challenges, but we remain resilient; not in our own strength, but the strength that God has given us”.