Hope For Jamaica raises $50,000 for the Hurricane Melissa relief effort in Jamaica
Hope For Jamaica, A November 6 Show In Toronto, Canada Featuring That Country’s Top Reggae Artists, Raised $50,000 For The Hurricane Melissa Relief Effort In Jamaica. It Was Held At The Jamaican Canadian Centre.
Roots singer Tasha T performing at the 'Hope For Jamaica' fundraising show, held November 6 at the Jamaican Canadian Centre in Toronto. (contributed image)An Estimated 1,000 Fans Turned Out For The Event. Most Of The Funds Collected Came From The Entry Fee, Donations From Companies, Individuals And Raffles.
Patrons Also Donated Non-Perishable Food.
Among The Artists Performing Were Tasha T, Lazah Current, Exco Levi, Jimmy Reid And Steele. Fittingly, They Closed The Show With A Rousing Rendition Of One Love, Bob Marley’s Global Anthem.
Dr. Sylvanus Thompson, A Senior Member Of The Jamaican Diaspora In Canada, Coordinated Hope For Jamaica Which He Described As A Success.
“The Concert Also Symbolized Hope And Resilience — Reflecting The ‘One Love’ Spirit That Defines Jamaica. Seeing Artists, Community Leaders, And Supporters Come Together Reminded Everyone That Collective Action Can Make A Real Difference In Recovery And Rebuilding Efforts,” He Said.
Tasha T, Whose Parents Are Jamaican, Said Her Family In Westmoreland Parish And The Tourist Mecca Of Montego Bay Were Affected By Melissa, A Category 5 Force That Made Landfall In Jamaica On October 29.
She Said It Is Critical For Jamaicans Abroad To Support Their Country In A Desperate Period.
“It Was Very Important To Be Part Of This Great Cause For The Country And My People Of Jamaica And To Give My Support In Any Way. Unity Is Strength. United We Stand, Divided We Fall,” Tasha T Said In An Interview With Caribbean Today. “I Hope And Pray That We All Can Continue To Come Together As One, Moving Forward As A People And A Nation. Not Just For This Moment But Continuously, To Look Out For Our Brothers And Sisters, Neighbours, Near And Far.”
In Addition To Westmoreland, Melissa Destroyed Rural Parishes Including St. Elizabeth, St. James And Trelawny. Its 185 Miles Per Hour Winds Also Caused Extensive Damage To Manchester And St. Ann.
The Jamaican Government Reports That 46 Jamaicans Died As A Result Of Hurricane Melissa.
Her Excellency Marsha Coore-Lobban, Jamaica’s High Commissioner To Canada; Olivia Chow, Mayor Of Toronto; Kurt Davis, Jamaica’s Consul General In Toronto; Member Of Parliament Charmaine Williams, Member Of Provincial Parliament Tom Rakocevic And King Nana Yaw Osam I Of Ghana, Were Some Of The Dignitaries Who Attended Hope For Jamaica.
