TRELAWNY, Jamaica — More than 250 care packages were distributed to residents of the Martha Brae and Zion communities, as well as individuals housed at a shelter in Holland, Trelawny, through the efforts of Hands in Unison, a local Christian-based humanitarian organisation.

The packages, which contained food items, water, toiletries, and other essential supplies, were part of the organisation’s ongoing relief efforts to support families affected by Hurricane Melissa.

The initiative was led by Chief Executive Officer Ruth-Ann Pinnock and Projects Director Lorene Pinnock, and aligns with Hands in Unison’s annual programmes, particularly the “Dare to Care” and Christmas gift initiatives.

“Hands in Unison has always been giving… We always do care packages between 200 to 300. For Melissa relief, we would love to do basically the same, but also add at least one roof project for every zone that we, every parish that we go to,” Lorene said, noting that the organisation will continue its outreach across multiple parishes in the coming weeks.

The projects director shared that the Kingston and Mandeville based organisation has committed to 45 roof projects across the country to help families devastated by Hurricane Melissa to recover and build back stronger.

Underscoring the organisation’s guiding principle, Pinnock shared, “At Hands in Unison, our tagline is ‘Together We Can’ so that’s our goal, that’s our aim, to do it together as much as possible…bringing organisations together, getting volunteers as we work together with our staff, with our people, with our corporate, with whatever organisation, whatever unit that comes in together with us, we’re coming to build a better Jamaica, we’re coming to create a change.”

Pinnock expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organisation’s partners and supporters who helped make the Trelawny outreach possible.

Two elderly men receive care packages courtesy of Hands in Unison.

Hands in Unison distributes care packages to people impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Trelawny.

This Trelawny resident is a picture of joy with her care packages courtesy of Hands in Unison.

Members of the Hands in Unison team assist an elderly resident during their outreach programme in Trelawny.

Chief Executive Officer of Hands in Unison, Ruth-Ann Pinnock (right) and Projects Director of Hands in Unison, Lorene Pinnock.

(From left) Dwayne Murphy of Island Tribe Collective; Chief Executive Officer of Hands in Unison, Ruth-Ann Pinnock; Rhon Matthison of Rhon Matthison Music; Projects Director of Hands in Unison, Lorene Pinnock; and Bishop Matthison of Divine Inspiration Ministries International.