Pastor Patrick Allen, president of West Indies Union Conference, takes note of the needs of 85-year-old pensioner, Thomas Collins, at his home, which was damaged by Hurricane Dean, in Dry Hill, Portland Cottage, Clarendon. A team of members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church visited the area, on Sunday. - Contributed

Hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist church members converged on the parishes of St. Catherine, St. Thomas and Clarendon on Sunday to give support to persons who are affected by Hurricane Dean.

"I am badly in need of help," said 85-year-old pensioner Thomas Collins.

Mr. Collins, who lives alone at Dry Hill, Portland Cottage, Clarendon, made just one of the many appeals for help from residents of that community, which was severely damaged during the passage of Hurricane Dean on August 19. Mr. Collins' two-bedroom house, which was damaged from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, is without a roof. His bedroom, which is partially covered with tarpaulin, is at the mercy of the elements of nature and is in dire need of urgent attention.

The areas visited by members of the church were Rocky Point and Portland Cottage, in Clarendon; Old Harbour Bay, St. Catherine and Port Morant, St. Thomas. During the visit, more than 2,000 parcels of food along with water, mattresses, tarpaulins and blankets were distributed to needy residents.

Free medical check-up

Doctors from Andrews Memorial Hospital assisted in the operations of a clinic at the Old Harbour Bay Adventist Church, where hundreds of children and adults received free medical check-ups and medication. Lecturers and students from the Behavioral Sciences Department of Northern Caribbean University (NCU) were on hand also and they provided counselling to traumatised members of these communities.

The initiative was spearheaded by the Adventist Laypersons Services and Industries (ASi) and lead by the president of the West Indies Union Conference, Pastor Patrick Allen, and vice-president of ASi Inter-America, Marston Thomas.

In his appeal on behalf of many of the residents of these communities Pastor Allen asserted that the type of assistance needed at this time is one that goes beyond the boundaries of class, gender, religious or political affiliation.