Reggae Sumfest donates to groups in Montego Bay

MONTEGO BAY — The organisers of the annual international reggae music festival "Reggae Sumfest" have donated $400,000 in cash and computer equipment to two groups in St. James.

The beneficiaries are the Montego Bay Boys’ and Girls' Club, which has received  $300,000 to assist in procuring musical instruments for its band, while a computer, valued at approximately $100,000, was presented to the  Jamaica Fire Brigade’s Montego Bay Office.

Executive Director of Reggae SumFest, Johnny Gouzong, made the presentations on July 5, 2011, during the official launch of the 19th staging of the show at the Iberostar Rosehall Hotel in Montego Bay.

Director in charge of transportation for Reggae SumFest Promotions, Howard Deers, told JIS News that the donations were the organiser's way of giving back to society “which has given tremendous support to the festival over the past many years.'

“The Montego Bay Boys’ and Girls’ Club…we regard as a type of nursery, as they continue to encourage youths to play music.  We are therefore investing this $300,000 in the club and giving something back to the community,” he told JIS News.

He informed that the Fire Brigade has consistently partnered with SumFest over the years by giving support and professional safety services.

Mr. Gouzong, in the meantime, informed that this year “we will be honouring some of those entertainers, who have contributed to the development of Jamaica’s music, such as Beres Hammond, E.T. Webster and the Late Gregory Isaacs."

The Montego Bay Boys’ and Girls’ Club was the national parish project for

St. James for Labour Day activities on May 23, receiving overwhelming support from the business community and citizens of Montego Bay and the parish.

Dubbed the greatest reggae show on earth, Reggae Sumfest will be held from July 17 to 23 at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay.

By GLENIS ROSE, JIS Reporter