A brighter Christmas for the Heaths
Published:Saturday | December 24, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer
OLD HARBOUR, St Catherine:CHRISTMAS WILL be a little brighter for 109-year-old Alberta Heath and her 83-year-old husband, Oswald, whose place of abode has been in a state of squalor and disrepair.
The story of the Old Harbour couple's endless commitment to each other and their unsatisfactory living conditions was highlighted in an article titled 'Despite Challenges, Seniors Let Love Flourish' published in The Gleaner on October 1.
The article evoked an immediate response from a Jamaican - who migrated to the United States of America at age 18 and now lives in Barbados - retired Pan American Health Organization consultant, Dr Margaret Hazlewood.
"I have shared my blessings with others since high school (Kingston Technical). I read the Jamaican newspapers daily and respond to situations where I feel that I can make an immediate difference," Hazlewood, who donated cash to assist with repairs to the house, told The Gleaner.
For her part, Monica Douglas-Gardiner, Social Development Commission (SDC) community development officer, Old Harbour Development Area, solicited assistance from businesses in the community.
"When I heard about Mrs Heath about three years ago, I visited her, I saw the situation and brought it to the attention of SDC. We thought of getting assistance from Food For The Poor, but that was not forthcoming until The Gleaner did some intervention, enabling us to go further," Douglas-Gardiner said.
Her efforts yielded donations from Stanford Whitely and Radcliffe Robinson, Homer Plus Hardware, Patricia Palmer, Builders Outlet, Steve Graham, Burke Road Youth Club, Kevin Campbell, Triple J's Hardware, and Robert Gordon, deputy superintendent of police, Old Harbour Police Station.
In addition, Annesta Ellis, secretary of the Burke Road Senior Citizens' Club, garnered support from Ishmael Scott, manager at Scott's Stockpile & Construction, Old Harbour, and Stephen McDonald.
My Neighbourhood Supermarket, located in Old Harbour, which had previously replaced the old roof, funded lunch for the team of volunteers.
"As the name suggested, My Neighbour-hood Supermarket wants to add value to our neighbourhood, and Mrs Heath is a very nice senior citizen, so we always try to help her," Jacqueline Campbell owner/manager of the supermarket told The Gleaner.
outpouring of love
The team, which included Mrs Heath's grandson, Pedelo, former caregiver, Annmarie Wright, members of the Burke Road Senior Citizens' club, as well as neighbours including children, was led by Garnet Thomas, a contractor of Bannister, Old Harbour.
"I believe that we should volunteer our services to help those who can't help themselves," Thomas said.
In the end, Douglas-Gardiner expressed delight at the outpouring of love and the spirit of volunteerism in the community.
"It's a lovely gesture and I am really happy for those persons who are instrumental in getting this done. I wish we could be more attentive to so many other needs in the community, but this is a very good gesture," she shared with The Gleaner.
Ellis was equally delighted.
"I feel really good to know that we are able to do some repairs to the Heath's house to make them more comfortable!" said Ellis.
The vivacious centenarian expressed gratitude for the kind deed and said she was looking forward to enjoying another holiday season with her husband in the comfort of their improved environment.