MONTEGO BAY, St James – For six years, pastors Paul and Dorette Blake have been helping to strengthen the faith of persons who call the streets of Downtown Montego Bay home through ‘Street Church,’ held every Sunday in the historic Sam Sharpe Square.

Along with the spiritual message they deliver, each year with the help of a generous few, they host an extra-special Christmas street feeding initiative to bring some joy to these individuals who, according to Dorette have been “abandoned, neglected and rejected by society”.

Last Sunday, with the assistance of Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operators of Flow and Columbus Business Solutions, they were able to spread some Christmas cheer to more than 100 persons.

For the past two years, Columbus on behalf of its corporate partners has donated more than $2 million dollars to support activities that cater to children and the homeless across the island. As part of this Christmas Outreach Programme, staff members also volunteer at these activities to make the season a little brighter for many of the underserved in our communities.

This is the second year that ‘Street Church’ has been selected as part of the series of outreach programmes. Last year over 50 homeless persons benefited from the activity.

Dorette, founder of Acts of Faith Ministries, thanked Flow for their contribution to the programme which for years has been in need of funding.

“We truly appreciate the efforts of Flow in giving back and showing kindness to these persons,” she said.

For her part, Denise Williams, director for corporate communications, Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited said she was glad to lend a helping hand to the initiative.

“The team members at Flow and Columbus Business Solutions were more than happy to be on board with Street Church once again to give back to members in the communities we serve. We came out and connected with these persons, many of whom have such touching stories. Pastors Paul and Dorette Blake’s programme is commendable and we are pleased to have partnered with them another year.”

The initiative is the first of several that Columbus Communications has selected to support in its 2012 Christmas Charity Outreach Programme.