THE Mustard Seed Communities has received over $42 million in contribution from the Powerful Women and Men Perform For Charity show over the past 13 years.

The event is scheduled for the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College in St Andrew, tomorrow. There will be two shows at 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm. The proceeds will benefit the 600 abandoned and HIV-infected children taken in by Mustard Seed Communities.

According to Darcy Tulloch-Williams, executive director of Jamaica for Mustard Seed Communities, the money received from the show has gone towards operational costs, particularly medicine and food.

“Eighty per cent of our children are physically and mentally challenged and although we get assistance through the Ministry of Health with drugs for the HIV-infected ones, we still have to spend a lot on medication by purchasing through the retail system,” she told Jamaica Observer.

Tulloch-Williams said the success of the Powerful Women and Men show was an indication that Corporate Jamaica was investing in Mustard Seed Communities and underscored its vision to help those in need.

“The performers are responsible individuals in our community, who have taken time from their busy schedules to help a group of people who have fallen through the cracks. In fact, the show has moved from them just making fun of themselves to become class acts on stage with lots of them developing into professional entertainers of the years,” the executive director said.

Thyra Heaven, founding chairman of the Powerful Women and Men show, was upbeat about this year’s staging.

“We are looking forward to even greater support from our loyal patrons and fans of the new performers on Sunday, especially as we will be hosting two shows this year,” she said.

Newcomers include social media sensation Rushaine ‘Dutty Berry’ Berry; Bruce James, president and co-founder of MVP Track Club; Kelly Tomblin, CEO of Jamaica Public Service; architect Paul Thorbourne; Dahlia Harris, director of Culture in the Ministry of Youth and Culture; Joy Clark, regional manager for Digicel; and violinist Mijanne Webster.