Jamaicans in Canada Assist Relief Effort

Jamaicans overseas are extending support to their homeland as the country begins the recovery and reconstruction process in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.
A Hurricane Relief Committee, comprising 14 persons from various Jamaican associations in Canada, has been formed to coordinate relief efforts from that country.
Jamaica’s Consul General to Toronto, Vivia Betton, who heads the group, told JIS News that an assessment of the hurricane damage was being conducted with priority needs established. She said that the list of needs would be publicized as soon as it became available.
In the meantime, an account has been opened at the Toronto Dominion (TD) Bank. Donations can be made at any TD branch to the Jamaican Hurricane Relief Fund.
A member of the Relief Committee, Bill DeLisser, who is President of the Jamaica Foundation of Hamilton, said proceeds from his organization’s annual dinner/dance set for September 18 will now go directly to the hurricane relief fund.
David Griffiths, another Committee member and President of the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) announced that the JCA, in conjunction with FLOW FM would be hosting a Hurricane Relief Day on September 19 at the JCA Centre, 995 Arrow Road. “We will have fun and games, raffles and auctions to assist Jamaica and Grenada,” he told JIS News.
Hurricane Ivan also devastated the island of Grenada. “We want to assist Grenada because the JCA is not only about helping Jamaicans, but all people in need,” added Mr. Griffiths.
Members of the Hurricane Relief Committee include representatives from the Jamaican Consulate General, Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA), National Council of Jamaicans and Supportive Organizations in Canada (NCJSOC), Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations (AJAA), Jamaica Foundation of Hamilton, Jamaican Diaspora Foundation, Black Community Police Consultative Committee (CPCC) and the Jamaica Information Service.