TRELAWNY, Jamaica — The Trelawny Municipal Corporation on Monday received a donation of 100 cots from the Lake Group of Companies to assist residents affected by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island last October.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025, causing widespread destruction to much of the western region of Jamaica.

According to Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lisa Lake, the Trelawny Municipal Corporation is the first recipient of a larger donation programme that will see 1,000 cots distributed across the island.

“A hundred of these cots will be going to our team members as well, and then another 800 across the island,” Lake said.

She said she was pleased to contribute to the recovery effort in Trelawny as residents continue rebuilding their lives after the hurricane.

“We’re just very pleased today to be handing over these 100 cots to the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, as our contribution to help in the rebuilding of the natives of Trelawny,” Lake continued.

Michael Lake, director of Caribbean Resources and Lake Group of Companies, echoed her sentiments.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor C Junior Gager, on receiving the donation, expressed appreciation to the company on behalf of the corporation and the residents of the parish.

“I want to say thanks to the Lakes for donating these 100 cots. We will be reaching persons in various areas and we want to make sure that we let them know that this is a special donation and somebody thinks about them and somebody wants their lives to be much more comfortable than it is at present,” Gager said.

After leaving Falmouth, the Lakes made a stop in Montego Bay, St James, where they made a similar donation to the St James Municipal Corporation.

The Lake Group of Companies is the parent company of Restaurant Associates Limited (RAL), the franchise holder for Burger King, Popeyes, Little Caesars and Krispy Kreme in Jamaica.

— Horace Hines