THE EDITOR, Sir:
YOU THINK of the word 'SANTA' and the first thing that comes to mind is Christmas and gift-giving. There is a group operating in Jamaica that is called SANTA (Seeing a Need and Taking Action), but it has nothing to do with Christmas and everything to do with giving and helping. They do this by soliciting funds to assist organisations which work tirelessly to house and care for the homeless and in some instances, the rejected.
SANTA consists of a group of concerned businesses and citizens with a strong desire to enhance and develop worthwhile causes throughout Jamaica. One such civil-minded organisation which has stood up to its responsibility as a corporate citizen is Stewart's Auto Sales Limited, whose donation of $350,000 will go a far way in allowing some of Jamaica's charitable organisations to keep their doors open.
Mr. Frank Jackson, the Committee Chairman for SANTA reported that the organisation had exceeded its $1,000,000 target through the generosity of contributors like Stewart's and charity events such as a dinner/dance and a golf tournament. The contributions, he said, had been disbursed among charitable organisations such as the St. Patrick's Foundation to assist their meal programme; the Missionaries of the Poor to facilitate the opening of a new home for abandoned children with AIDS; a bus to transport the physical and mentally challenged children at Mustard Seed Communities' Jerusalem home; respiratory equipment to the National Chest Hospital and funds to St. Anne's High School to launch a hot lunch programme.
According to Mrs. Diana Stewart, Managing Director of Stewart's Auto Sales, her company was more than pleased to be associated with an organisation that is seeing to the needs of the hungry and the homeless. "We at Stewarts are always mindful of our corporate responsibility to improve and sustain charities which give hope and assistance to those in need."
I am, etc.,
MAXINE J. BROWN
Berl Francis and Company Limited
1 Oxford Terrace
Kingston 5
