Why a superstar supports a hospital

I first met the entertainer in an airport queue in Fort Lauderdale when he was en route to accept an award from the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) as a philanthropist for his work with the Bustamante Hospital for Children. Then, a year later, we met again in a New York restaurant. He is amazingly approachable, no airs, absolutely down-to-earth and such a pleasure to speak with that I asked this former Marine how he got involved with the hospital.

how he got started

He told me that 11 years ago the child of one of his band members needed medical assistance. He went to see the child at the hospital and was told that the child would have to be sent to Miami for treatment. Shaggy couldn’t understand how a country like Jamaica didn’t have the necessary medical facilities, and he vowed that if ever he were able to do something for the children and the hospital, he would. Well, after a subsequent recording went off the charts, he earned enough to fulfil that vow. He just came and “cut a cheque” to help. Over the years, he would buy gifts from a store downtown, wrap them and give them to the children. Gradually, when the store discovered what he was doing, they offered him the toys at half price and now they help donate gifts.

Every year, he looks forward to the Christmas treats at the hospital to meet the children, but it was four years ago, when he asked what was wrong with one of the children and was told the little girl had a bullet lodged in her head, that he was inspired to put the fund-raising on a more permanent basis by creating the Shaggy Makes a Difference Foundation of which the executive director is his partner, Rebecca Packer. After his first concert for the hospital, he said, with the proceeds, they were able to buy 400 pieces of much-needed equipment. Hospital CEO Anthony Wood confirms that Shaggy has been a constant source of support for 10 years now, with the latest donation of more than US$340,000 in medical equipment prior to the recent concert.

This year, the AFJ partnered with Cool Runnings actor, Leon Robinson, to stage a toy and book drive in New York City. Toys from the drive were sent to help Shaggy with his annual Christmas treat and as a director of the AFJ, I was able to be there as Shaggy went through the wards. Quite rightly, the hospital only allows photographs to be taken of children whose parents are there to give permission, so I’ll just have to describe the joyous smiles and happiness created as Shaggy appeared, with each child receiving something special. What impressed me was not only the genuine forthrightness of this talented individual but also what a delightful environment he and his foundation have helped the hospital staff create at this important and essential institution. Never having been there before, I had no idea that the exterior would be so brightly painted in cheerful colours, that the wards would be so open and clean, and the staff so attentive and caring.

Shaggy’s stage manager, Nigel Lyn, was with him at the hospital, as were Deborah Abrahams and Sharon Walker of the South Florida Gala Committee of the AFJ. Deborah’s son, Adam, and his cousins Luke and Ali brought gifts for the children and Sheresa Dixon, a final-year University of Technology student majoring in event planning, volunteered to help for the first time. Little by little the network grows through his influence as more people realise how important it is to have vital infrastructure in place for a country to develop economically.

Shaggy’s foundation has raised well over J$57 million, so far, and with the recent concert on January 7 to raise funds for a new intensive care unit at the hospital’s cardiac ward, Jamaican children will have even more reason to thank Orville Burrell, his band, and his talented friends who donated their services during the hectic holiday/post-election season. Now don’t hesitate to make your contribution too.