Capital and Credit gives 'Pickney Love at Christmas'

FOR THE ninth year running, the Capital & Credit Financial Group last Tuesday joined forces with local artistes to raise funds for the children of the Dare to Care homes in the Mustard Seed Communities with the staging of its annual Signature Corporate Event, 'Pickney Love at Christmas'.

The concert was enjoyed by a packed ballroom at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, and featured a stellar line-up of artistes, both professional and amateur. Headline megastar Beenie Man brought the throng to their feet with a short, but scintillating performance that involved dynamic footwork and a medley of his recent hits, including I'm Okay and topped off four hours of first-class entertainment from a mix of veterans and rising stars.

George Nooks gave a masterful set, which had the entire ballroom singing along, especially his much loved God is Standing By. Although performing on tracks, Chino, put his own stamp on the McGregor legacy with a lively set that had the ladies especially swooning. Other notable performances came from songbirds Tessanne Chin, Karen Smith, and 2010 Digicel Rising Stars Runner Up - Camaley. The audience was in for a special surprise when, Capital & Credit's senior vice-president, group marketing, Michelle Wilson-Reynolds, took the stage with Bank President Curtis Martin, to sing Tanya Stephen's What's Your Story. All in all, it was a night of riveting performances in aid of a worthy cause with Fab 5 as the backing band.

First held in 2001

Since 2001, Capital & Credit's 'Pickney Love at Christmas' concert has raised funds and donated all proceeds to charity after auditing by Deloitte & Touche. The family concert has raised funds to build classrooms for the School of Hope for disabled children, while the last seven shows have been for the benefit of the Mustard Seed's Dare to Care homes for abandoned children living with HIV/AIDS.

To date, the concerts have netted $8.7 million for Dare to Care, which has helped to convert the former hospice into a home for over 75 children.

"The children at Dare to Care are able to receive medication and other needs due to this collaborative effort involving clients, families, friends, performers and good corporate citizens and this is why we host this event year after year," said Wilson-Reynolds.

"When you hear some of the heart-wrenching stories, you are just moved to jump on board instantaneously," she added.