SCORES of residents turned out to enjoy the festivities at a treat spearheaded by the Fun In The Son (FITS) team at the Nightingale Grove Baptist Church in St Elizabeth.

Tommy Cowan, chief visionary officer, said he had already planned to give back to the community from which he hails even before the passage of Hurricane Melissa late last year. He is pleased with the event’s success.

“The feedback has been amazing. Families came out in their numbers with their children which, to me, was such a blessing. To see the children having that level of fun for the first time since the hurricane, to see their faces lit up when they got on the bounce-a-bout and Ferris wheel made my day,” Cowan told the Jamaica Observer, adding that he and the team were just as inspired by the camaraderie.

Cowan further explained the intentionality behind the event’s execution.

“With no electricity we had to get things going early. The day unfolded with such love, togetherness, and professionalism among the young and old. We give thanks to those who partnered with us on the day to include The Love March Movement… Lions Club of Mandeville… and The Best Dressed Chicken,” he said, adding that members of the team were able to assess infrastructural damage as well as support local farmers at the market.

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Gospel Song finalist Orville Sutherland made his FITS début with a DJ-style presentation that resonated with the audience in the roofless church hall.

This was followed by The Brown Trio of David, Desere and Deandra Brown with Turn It Around, He Will Make A Way, as well as a reggae medley of Our God Is Greater, How Great Is Our God, and
Sheltered In The Hands of God all backed by The Leviticus Band.

The final act for the afternoon was Carlene Davis, co-founder of this ministry, with her backing vocalists Adassa Michelle, Latoya Newell and Therapy Right Band. Her set included songs such as
Handful of Salt, My Forever Friend, One Day At A Time, Rapha, Put Christ Back Into Christmas, Holy Forever, and O Holy Night with Enoch Thomas, an 11-year-old singer from Antigua. The icing on the cake was a rendition of her very own Santa Claus Do You Ever Come to the Ghetto with her daughter Naomi Cowan.

— Kediesha Perry

A section of the audience at the Fun In The Son concert and treat held at Nightingale Grove Baptist Church in St Elizabeth.

Recording artiste Naomi Cowan (left) with her mother Carlene Davis.