Singer Sophia Brown continued her outreach to persons with Down’s syndrome, by donating gift packages to parents of children born with the genetic disorder at Hope Gardens in St Andrew on December 22.

Brown’s gesture, made through her Angel Of The Hearts Foundation, comprised snacks, juices, gifts and funds valued at over $300,000. It included donations from music distribution company, Zojak Worldwide, Wisynco and Food For The Poor, based in Spanish Town.

Twenty children, ages one year-old to 17, benefited. Brown told the Jamaica Observer that she was particularly pleased with an aspect of the event.

“One of the things that amazed me was to see so many fathers turn out with their kids. Most times, these kids are raised by their mothers, so I really respect that,” she said.

Inspired by her niece, Heidi Buchanan, who was born with Down’s syndrome, Brown started Angel Of The Hearts Foundation in 2015. She has since developed a strong relationship with the Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation (JDSF) which was established in 2007.

The JDSF says 600 families of children with Down’s syndrome are registered with them.

Shashawna Thomas, representing the JDSF, Adrian Forbes of Wisynco, and Brown’s family which included Heidi and her parents, as well as Brown’s two children, attended the event.

Sophia Brown has been a recording artiste since 2013. She has released four albums to date, the latest being Bad For Me, which came out last summer.

— Howard Campbell