JHTA chapter aids St Ann’s Widow’s Mite

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Ocho Rios Runaway Bay Chapter continued its decades-long support of the Mustard Seeds Widow’s Mite facility in St Ann with a donation of $150,000 on Friday.

The donation followed the handover of a cheque to Adult and Teen Challenge in February, and marked the JHTA’s commitment to continue its charitable contribution to the wider community.

Hurricane Melissa had forced the postponement of the annual children’s treat and cheque donation to the two institutions, which is normally held in December.

Vana Taylor, chairman of the area chapter, in handing over the cheque to the administrator at Widow’s Mite, Gwendolyn Howell, said the chapter was pleased to continue its support and pledged to continue. The handover took place at the Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Ocho Rios.

She also indicated that the annual treat and handover ceremony would return in December.

“On behalf of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association Runaway Bay Ocho Rios Chapter, it’s our pleasure to donate this cheque to Mustard Seeds Widow’s Mite, which we have been doing over several years now,” Taylor said.

“It’s one of our three charities that we support. Earlier this year we gave to Adult and Teen Challenge which is one of our charities. Also, the St Ann’s Bay (Regional) Hospital, we haven’t given them, but we’ll be working there on Labour Day,” Taylor added.

Taylor had kind words for the Catholic Church, which operates Mustard Seeds Communities, noting that the church has been doing a great deal for underprivileged, disabled and handicapped people in Jamaica.

Howell was delighted for the assistance for yet another year.

“On behalf of the Mustard Seed Communities, I do thank you very, very much, Miss Taylor, for your continued support. May God bless you, continue to keep you and guide you and your team and we do hope to keep this bond going,” Howell said.

A Catholic Mission, Mustard Seed Communities was founded in 1978 as a non-profit organisation dedicated to caring for the vulnerable in the society.

Widow’s Mite, which has been relocated from Murray Mountain to Moneague, but remains in St Ann, currently houses 23 residents – 15 females and eight males - aged from two to 34 years.

carl.gilchrist@gleanerjm.com