MONTEGO BAY, St James —The Poor Relief Department of the St James Municipal Corporation and the Good Shepherd Foundation were the recent beneficiaries of a combined donation of US$4,000 ($2,000 each) from the Sangster International Airport’s football team.

The donation was presented to both organisations during an official handover ceremony held at the airport last week.

Catherine Carter, customer service coordinator at MBJ Airports Limited, said the funds represent proceeds from the Business House Football Competition awarded to Team Sangster International.

The team, which comprises airline workers and several businesses that operate at the Sangster International Airport, agreed to donate the cash award to the two selected organisations in support of their work with vulnerable groups in the parish of St James.

Manager of the team, Donavon Reid, told the Jamaica Observer West that the team unanimously decided during a meeting, to donate the money to these two entities.

“It was an easy decision to make the donations to these two entities in Montego Bay. I see where they help a lot of people that have nowhere to go, have nowhere to stay, so it was a very easy decision for me and the team to come together to decide who gets the donation,” he explained.

Reid said the team is looking forward to winning another competition next year so that they will be able to give to other charitable organisations.

Mayor of Montego Bay Homer Davis, who spoke on behalf of the Municipal Corporation, pointed to the tremendous work of the Poor Relief Department, adding that it was a pleasure to witness the handover.

“Sometimes citizens out there don’t understand some of the work that is being done by volunteers, and the Good Shepherd Foundation is one such; so too, the St James Municipal Corporation’s Poor Relief Department has done and has been doing great work in helping those in need,” stated Mayor Davis.

Chairperson of the Good Shepherd Foundation Jeanne Robinson-Foster, who collected the funds on behalf of the orgainsation’s charity outreach arm, Hope Hospice, said the money will go to the hospice which provides medical attention for needy and abandoned people.

“Thank you so much for remembering them, for thinking of them and for knowing that they are persons who you would like to receive a modicum of your kindness. I know, I can say on their behalf, we are truly, truly thankful. I encourage you to kick ball, win, and call us back again,” said Robinson-Foster.

The football competition was sponsored by Vistaprint.