THE recent donation of $2 million by charitable organisation Masonic Homes has pushed to roughly $50 million the amount of funds donated to the United Way of Jamaica for relief efforts following Hurricane Melissa.

Masonic Homes is a charitable organisation run by the Freemasons in Jamaica. A cheque valued at $2 million was handed over to United Way of Jamaica during a ceremony at the offices of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica in St Andrew, last Thursday.

Dr Devon Smith, United Way chairman, expressed deep gratitude to the people and organisations that have donated and continue to donate.

“On October 28 we experienced one of the most devastating disasters in the form of Hurricane Melissa. Certainly, when you talk to many of the experts, they said that given the intensity of the storm it was catastrophic in certain areas,” he said. “We here at the United Way of Jamaica, part of our mandate is to mobilise resources to assist those in need.”

He said immediately after the storm the board decided to put all calendar events on hold and turn attention to Melissa recovery.

“The support of our partners has been very overwhelming,“ he said. “I received a call about the need to engage Masonic Homes, and I extend heartfelt thanks to [them].”

Masonic Homes Chairman Donald Reynolds explained that the donation was made in keeping with one of the core values of the charity, which is to support the less fortunate and organisations that provide crucial services.

“We are very happy to make this contribution to the United Way of Jamaica in respect of disaster relief funds after Hurricane Melissa,” he said. “Masonic Homes covers the English, Scottish and Irish constitutions. All of us have come together to get this done.”

He said this followed a recent $2-million donation to Victoria Jubilee Hospital, and just under $1 million to Bustamante Hospital for Children. Equipment has also been donated to the National Blood Transfusion Service (Blood Bank).

Dr Courtney King Palmer, district grand master of the Scottish Constitution, said Jamaica has long way to go in recovering from the setback caused by Hurricane Melissa — and every dollar counts.

“We are fully aware that this is not a sprint; it is a long marathon. And hopefully we will find ourselves in a position where, down the road, we will [again] be able to do what we are doing now. Thank you for being the vehicle through which we can assist,” Palmer said.

“On behalf of the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica, I must say how very, very delighted we are in being able to make this worthy contribution to help alleviate some of the suffering of our fellow citizens.”