Volunteers in St. Ann Participated in Several Activities on Labour Day

Residents of St. Ann were out in their numbers as volunteers to undertake projects on Labour Day (May 23), under the theme ‘Ramp up the access… Show that you care’. 

With a primary focus on people with disabilities, the elderly and the vulnerable, volunteers engaged in projects at schools, rehabilitation of homes, painting of health facilities and other community-related activities. 

In St. Ann and areas bordering St. Mary and Clarendon, there were activities in  Ocho Rios, Labyrinth, Lime Hall, and in Boroughbridge work commenced on a house for an elderly resident, Anthony Parkes.  

“Rain affected the completion of the building, but we should get a lot closer to completion tomorrow (May 24),” explained Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis. 

The Mayor said he was very impressed with the spirit of volunteerism displayed by residents, who remained undeterred by the rain that fell throughout most of the day.  

“Despite the rain, the people turned out in their numbers to participate in Labour Day activities. It was surely a great display of community spirit by all,” he told JIS News. 

 Councillor for the Boroughbridge Division, Marline Tompson Kenyon, said it was good to see so many residents showing up to assist in building a new home for Mr. Parkes. 

A grateful Mr. Parkes said that he was appreciative of the gesture, “something I will never forget”. 

Meanwhile, over in the Exchange Division, volunteers painted the main bus stop and also started rehabilitation work on the post office. 

“We got the bus stop painted, despite the rain, and have started work on the post office,” explained Councillor Ian Issacs.  

Elsewhere, the walkway ramp in front of the Ocho Rios High School was given a facelift as well as cleanup activities at the neighbouring Ocho Rios Primary. 

“Our volunteers did us proud, said Mr. Belnavis, who is also the Chairman of  Ocho Rios Primary. 

Meanwhile, the Labyrinth Primary School in St. Mary received a much-needed facelift, thanks to the more than 50 team members from Beaches Ocho Rios, Sandals Upton Estate Golf & Country Club, and Sandals Ochi, in addition to community residents and representatives of the Parent-Teacher Association.  

The volunteers power-washed certain areas, mowed the large lawn, painted the school’s facade, and painted motivational murals for the children on the walls.  

“We are privileged to have Beaches Ocho Rios, Sandals Ochi and the landscaping team from Sandals Golf Course at Labyrinth Primary School for their Labour Day project,” Principal, Uvelyn Barrett-Rose, said. 

“It was, indeed, heartwarming to see how much work was done.  It was a pleasure to see how the staff, parents and community members worked as a team to get the job done.  I wish that the cohesiveness shown today is something that every community could experience as we live together in harmony, not only for one day but every day,” he said. 

In Portland, community members were seen hard at work on two key projects — building a ramp at the Portland Infirmary and renovating the community centre in Poinciana Park, Fairy Hill.