Hospital to Benefit From Rainforest Seafoods Festival
By: , February 12, 2014The Key Point:
Photo: Dave Reid
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke (left), with (from second left), State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford; Chief Executive Officer of Rainforest Seafoods, Brian Jardim; radio personality, Miss Kitty; and State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, at the launch of the Rainforest Seafoods Festival, to be held at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre in Montego Bay on March 5. The launch was held at Rainforest’s offices on Slipe Road, in Kingston, on February 11.The Facts
- Last year the first festival, organized by the ‘We Care for Cornwall Regional Hospital’, raised $6 million.
- The money raised will help to purchase well needed equipment, such as nebulizers and incubators.
The Full Story
The Cornwall Regional Hospital, in Montego Bay, will again benefit from the Rainforest Seafoods Festival, to be held on Ash Wednesday, March 5, at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre, in St. James.
Last year the first festival, organized by the ‘We Care for Cornwall Regional Hospital’, raised $6 million.
The festival was endorsed by State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, and State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford, at the launch, held at Rainforest Seafoods offices on Slipe Road, in Kingston, on February 11.
In her address, Mrs. Ffolkes-Abrahams said the festival will benefit every citizen in Western Jamaica, directly or indirectly. “Through these efforts, the hospital will be able to provide better care for mothers, babies, young children, visitors and the elderly,” she added.
The State Minister said the money raised will help to purchase well needed equipment, such as nebulizers and incubators.
Meanwhile, Mr. Crawford argued that when companies reach out to communities, everyone benefits.
There will be performances by artistes at the festival, and the State Minister noted that entertainment can be the driver for change. “We are very happy with what is happening, because it also helps to diversify the tourism product,” Mr. Crawford said.
For his part, General Manager at Rainforest Seafoods, Ernest Grant, reported that last year’s festival was a tremendous success, and “we have every intention of exceeding that.”
He noted that the artistes performing will include Tarrus Riley, I-Octane, Konshens, Busy Signal, John Holt, Kevin Downswell and Etana, adding that the National Bakery Kiddies Village will feature slides, rides, clowns, photo booths and non-stop entertainment for the children.
The ‘We Care for Cornwall Regional Hospital’ initiative was launched in 2011 by a group of concerned Montego Bay business persons to raise funds to provide support for the hospital. Since then it has raised over $23 million to upgrade the paediatric ward.