MANCHESTER, Jamaica— Over 500 residents including senior citizens and children, benefited this year from the annual Christmas treat which was spearheaded by JIREH Benevolent Society.

The treat was hosted by the charitable organisation on Saturday, December 17 in Nashville, located in Mandeville, Manchester, and assists the underprivileged and needy within the central parishes of Jamaica.

The annual Christmas treat was placed on pause in 2019 due to the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, so JIREH’s founder, Joan Hudson, was excited for the occasion’s return.

“After two years, it feels really good to be back. It was a lot of work, but together we [JIREH] packaged over 200 toys for the kids and over 200 gifts for the adults, and in all, approximately 500 gifts for this treat,” Hudson said.

“Words cannot express the fulfilment, and just overall joy we are feeling, to be able to give back in this format. Christmas is a time for giving and a lot of these people gathered here [Nashville, Mandeville], especially the children and senior citizens, won’t be able to see a Christmas this year. A lot of the parents and other breadwinners are still coping with the new reality that the pandemic has left us with.” Hudson added.

The organisation, which has been around since 2014, has helped the needy through food, clothing, housing, and other necessities to those living in the central parishes of Jamaica and is hoping to extend their reach to other parishes across the island.

“Getting sponsors for the Christmas Treat was very difficult. We got a few sponsors on board from corporate Jamaica, but most of our sponsors came from the Jamaican Diaspora living overseas. Currently with the many programmes we have, we would really love more support from corporate Jamaica.” Hudson added making reference to the monthly distribution programmes that the team [JIREH] hosts on the last Thursday of each month and the school sponsorship programme launched to assist students in attending school through monetary and other contributions.

The team has also adopted the Percy Junor Hospital in Spalding, Clarendon and the

Mandeville Public Hospital in Manchester, by donating wheelchairs and other medical supplies.

Asked about the team’s plan for the New Year and their upcoming projects, Hudson stated: “We see the need and we want to broaden our horizons. We have invested in an incubator and would greatly appreciate some support in fertilizing the chickens. We are also looking to invest in a box truck to assist with the delivery and transportation of the items we donate on a monthly basis. So any help in these regards from corporate Jamaica would be greatly appreciated. As usual, we will continue with our hospital programme, back to school programme, student welfare and all our other programmes.”