OCHO RIOS, St Ann — In a show of appreciation, Councillor Amorkard Brown (People’s National Party, Leamington Division), accompanied by relief coordinator Bryan Williams and members of his team from Westmoreland, journeyed to Ocho Rios, St Ann, on Monday to deliver a surprise to the unsung heroes who came to the aid of the people of Leamington following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa last October.

The visit was organised to honour key benefactors — many of whom share a personal connection with Brown through Munro College where he served as a teacher.

When Brown issued an urgent appeal for assistance for his constituents following the Category 5 storm, people from Ocho Rios responded without hesitation or desire for recognition, mobilising significant relief efforts to support suffering families.

Among those recognised were key donors and community organisers whose efforts moved vital relief supplies to the people of Leamington.

The husband and wife team of Robert and Annette Leon from Big Ben Supermarket in Ocho Rios, St Ann, mobilised approximately 25 volunteers to distribute essential food items and relief supplies to impacted households, while Marlene Flemmings made more than six trips from Manchester to deliver food, clothing, and critical provisions.

Annette Leon (centre) of Big Ben Supermarket in St Ann accepts a plaque from Councillor Amorkard Brown for her support to the people of Leamington following Hurricane Melissa, while Marlene Flemmings (left) shares the moment.

Meanwhile, Kenneth and Michelle Boswell of Boswell Hardware, also in Ocho Rios, journeyed to Kilmarnock with supplies including more than 160 sheets of zinc, pallets of plywood, water, clothing, and other construction material, giving families the resources needed to rebuild their homes.

In addition to immediate relief, the volunteers pooled their resources to purchase and donate 80 bags of fertiliser, providing a crucial lifeline to farmers.

The generosity was made even more poignant by the steep challenges faced by the volunteers during the initial relief effort. They navigated narrow and damaged roadways, suffered punctured tyres, dealt with mechanical problems on their vehicles, and weathered wrong turns, in their quest to get to the people hard hit by Melissa.

“They persevered because they understood that families were depending on them,” Brown told the Jamaica Observer.

“They willingly answered the call to help strangers in their greatest time of need,” added Brown.

Some of the locally grown agricultural produce which farmers in Leamington, Westmoreland, gave to people in St Ann on Monday as a way of saying thanks for their support in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

To show the gratitude of the people from his division, Brown and his team surprised the benefactors with special plaques of appreciation.

Accompanying the plaques were large gift baskets filled with agricultural produce donated by the grateful residents of Leamington.

The surprise presentations produced deeply emotional moments throughout the day.

At Big Ben Supermarket Annette Leon was overwhelmed and shed tears of joy as she declared that she had never expected anything in return for extending a helping hand.

A similar scene unfolded at Boswell Hardware where Michelle Boswell was also moved to tears.

Councillor Amorkard Brown (right) presenting a plaque to Kenneth and Michelle Boswell of Boswell Hardware in St Ann, in recognition of their support to the people of Leamington in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

She said the unexpected gesture lifted her spirits and brightened her entire summer.

Flemmings was caught by surprise when she was presented with her award and gift basket. She said she was touched by the people’s show of gratitude.

Reflecting on the day, Brown told the
Observer that the journey was about more than handing out awards, it was a tribute to the enduring Jamaican spirit of solidarity and selflessness.

“Today was a celebration of humanity and compassion,” Brown stated.

“To each of these heroes, and to every volunteer who stood with Leamington during one of its darkest moments, we say thank you. Your kindness will never be forgotten,” declared Brown.