Bunny Bryan shines new light on Windsor Heights
Published:Thursday | May 28, 2020 | 12:00 AMPaul Clarke/Gleaner Writer
Can any good thing come out of Windsor Heights?
That question, with biblical resonance, is often hurled by outsiders at residents of the gritty neighbourhood on the periphery of Central Village who live with the slur Sufferers Heights.
But the modest eight districts that constitute Windsor Heights have storybook gems of charity like entrepreneur Bunny Bryan.
Bryan has become the philanthropic face of the community, providing meals daily to senior citizens and shut-ins.
Operator of a small shop, Bryan prepares hot meals out of pocket for the needy in altruistic efforts he considers his 'calling'.
"Things slowed to a halt when COVID-19 happened, so I began cooking on weekends, selling chicken and chips, but then I began thinking about others who may not have anything to eat, and so forth, and now we are distributing food and other items in care packages to several of our elderly," he said.
Born in Windsor Heights and having witnessed the politically charged violence that has swept the area for four decades, Bryan said it was important that natives of the community stepped up to help the elderly.
He has fed 10 persons daily for several years out of his subsistence but commended St Catherine Eastern Member of Parliament Denise Daley and Spanish Town Mayor Norman Scott for their assistance.
"I am not doing this for fame or gain. I have a deep-seated respect for senior citizens, and those I see around who some need help, if I can do so, then I will ? without favour," he said.
Like Bryan, 21-year veteran practical nurse Nordia Palmer has also been giving back but in a different form.
Sometimes the village nurse, Palmer said she is routinely sought out for medical assistance. Yesterday afternoon, she was on her way home from visiting an elderly man she cares for.
"I am not being paid to do this. I am not benefiting in any way, but it?s something I have loved, so it?s coming from my heart," she said.