Over 50 barrels containing relief items intended for people affected by Hurricane Melissa were recently shipped to Jamaica courtesy of the Jamaica Strong Radiothon, organised by Irie Jam Radio and RoadBlock Radio FM.

Monetary donations were also made at the event, which was held on November 8 at De Islands Restaurant in Rosedale, New York. JamLeo, a group comprising Jamaican police officers in New York, helped coordinate the proceedings.

Organisers encouraged donors to take essential items to Jamaica Strong Radiothon, including toiletries, bed and bath linen, diapers, kitchen utensils, garbage bags, plywood, nails, tarpaulins and zinc.

Poet Richie Innocent was among the participants. A New York resident, he said Jamaicans in the Big Apple have dug deep to assist their compatriots back home, thousands of whom have been affected by Hurricane Melissa, a category five force that made landfall on October 28.

It caused extreme damage in several parishes, especially St James, Westmoreland and St Elizabeth. Richie Innocent is from the town of Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, which took a battering.

“I am constantly listening to the news media and watching everything that has been happening in Jamaica, especially what is going on in St Elizabeth. It hurts my heart and brought tears upon seeing my hometown of Santa Cruz and my school, St Elizabeth Technical, ravaged by Hurricane Melissa, and our capital town, Black River, in rubbles,” he told Observer Online.

The dreadlocked artiste performed several of his poems, including Community and The Passover.

The Jamaican Diaspora, particularly major centres in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, have responded massively to the post-Melissa restoration. Donations from organisations and companies have flowed into the country since its ports reopened within days of the hurricane’s passing.

Irie Jam Radio and RoadBlock Radio FM are also promoters of the Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert, scheduled for December 12 at the UBS Arena in Long Island.