ST THOMAS, Jamaica – Always one to boast about his birth parish, dancehall artiste Popcaan has become quite the philanthropist and is looking to once again bring cheers to children of St Thomas with his annual Off-to-School Treat and Fun Day.

For the third year, the entertainer, through his Popcaan Care Foundation, is set to fete thousands of children at the Rudolph Elder Park in Morant Bay.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 29 and will run from 10 am to 6 pm.

A representative of the Popcaan Care Foundation told OBSERVER ONLINE that the annual treat elicits a great deal of enthusiasm among children and parents alike.

“This treat is one all of St Thomas looks forward to and so the anticipation is usually high. Thousands of children come out to not only receive well-needed school supplies but to also have a good time. We pride ourselves on making the event fun and look forward to once again putting some smiles on the faces of both the children and their parents,” the representative said.

Indicating that putting together the annual event costs the entertainer millions of dollars, the representative said Popcaan has funded the event by himself since its inception.

“Popcaan has been doing this all on his own for the last three years. That is something to talk about and to applaud. That says a lot about the artiste’s character but it says more about how much he cares about the people of St Thomas,” the representative said.

The event is expected to cost about $8 million this year.

“This year the event is costing almost $8 million and it is still coming from his own pocket. We are going bigger this year as we have always run out of bags and he did not want that to happen,” the rep told OBSERVER ONLINE.

“We’ve had a fabulous run with the treat so far and this year will be even more spectacular. Popcaan loves St Thomas and continues to show just how much this time of year. We just want all the children to come out and have a good time on Tuesday,” said the representative.