DJ Blake delivers
CLARKS TOWN, Trelawny — MORE than 400 Clarks Town Primary School students were on Monday handed packages containing back-to-school supplies. The packages, provided by US-based disc jockey, DJ Blake, a past student of the Trelawny institution contained books, pencils and other learning items. The entertainer, whose given name is Danvil Blake, also presented the school with a cheque valued at $30,000, and a new refrigerator, which was purchased at Courts Jamaica Ltd, Cross Road Branch.
Funds to purchase the items were raised through Children’s Chance Jamaica (CCJ), the disc jock’s charity organisation, which he formed abroad two months ago with Dianna McFarlane, another past student of Clarks Town Primary.
“Both of us came together and said we need to do something for Clarks Town where we are from. At first, we were not too sure what to do. But we later decided that we are going to start with Clarks Town Primary,” he said.
Kenroy Seaton, principal of the Clarks Town Primary, was joyful upon the delivery of the items by the DJ, who now lives in New York.
“On behalf of the Clarks Town Primary School, I would like to say how grateful we are for the contributions and donations from the past students. This will go a long way to let us get off to a very good start in the new school year,” a delighted Seaton told the Jamaica Observer West.
Meanwhile, board member and past student of the school, Devon Brown, also expressed his pleasure.
“I am overwhelmed to see that other persons who benefited from the school could really look at the school and contribute in this significant way. I hope that others will see this as a model and do that also, because the school is really in need,” Brown commented.
In the meantime, the disc jockey who visited the school with members of his family on Monday, has pledged his continued assistance to the institution.
“What we are doing right here, now, is something that is going to be continued right throughout the year. And every year we plan on coming back and doing the charity handouts and give the books and back-to-school supplies,” said Blake.
In fact, the disc jockey, who will also donate books to the soon-to-be completed library in the community, plans to stretch his benevolent efforts across the parish of Trelawny.
“The main goal of this programme is not only to stick with the Clarks Town Primary School, but to move from Clarks Town Primary, hopefully within the next year and try to help other schools within the Trelawny parish,” Blake said.
Blake, a resident DJ at Dos Caminos, Foundation Night Club and The Harbour in New York, has appeared in Los Angeles as tour DJ for Pras, formerly of the Fugees.
He was also resident DJ at the Billboard staff party in 2012 and the Billboard launch party just over a year ago, where he opened for the legendary Questlove, drummer of The Roots.
He recently told the Observer West, however, that the biggest gig of his career was in June when he stood behind his booth and spun for over 30,000 people at the JP Morgan Challenge Series in Central Park, New York.