Retired postal worker gets new home for Christmas - FFTP, Boom Energy Drink brighten season for Portmore resident
Published:Saturday | December 19, 2020 | 12:16 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
Joan Willie can hardly wait to spend Christmas in her new home.
The retired postal worker, who had been living in a rickety structure with its roof caving in, was gifted a new house yesterday by Food For The Poor (FFTP) and Wisynco – through its Boom Energy Drink brand – under their Tan A Yuh Yard initiative.
Willie, who lives in Braeton Meadows in Portmore, St Catherine, is the first of 10 recipients of a home under the initiative.
The retiree, who is diabetic and hypertensive and suffered two strokes recently which impede her ability to walk and speak clearly, was overjoyed as she turned the keys opening her new double unit.
“I feel good. I am moving in tonight,” the 68-year-old told The Gleaner. “I want to sleep comfortable and get some rest. I want to tell them many thanks for helping me.”
Her plight was brought to the attention of FFTP and Wisynco by a friend as Willie lives alone and has no relatives to care for her.
Had it rough
The Gleaner gathered that Willie has no children and one surviving sister.
Residents were equally happy that her living condition was improving.
“She had it rough. Glad say she move in now and can live better. She a get older and need this kind of serenity. We are glad FFTP and Boom came to her aid,” a neighbour said.
Tamara Ward, senior marketing and PR manager at Wisynco, said that the company has been doing a number of donations and charity outreach projects in partnership with FFTP during the pandemic.
“Boom is the number one energy drink and we have been the market now for 10 years. We are celebrating our 10-year anniversary, so this for us is kind of like one of those landmark moments to do something that is more [geared towards] nation building with the brand and giving back,” Ward said.
She revealed that Boom was contributing a total of US$36,000 to the initiative.
“Each house is US$3,800 contributed from the brand and then there is another US$3,800 that is donated by a private donor overseas. So we match the donation for the 10 houses,” Ward told The Gleaner.
Boom Energy Drink brand ambassador Shenseea was also on hand to assist with painting and to mark the moment.
FFTP Executive Kivette Silvera says the charity has been affected by the COVID-19 crunch and was elated when Boom made contact to assist in building 10 houses.
“On a monthly basis, we get over 100 applications. Now, when you think about it, having 100 applications or more and not being able to build a house for them because we don’t have donors, it was awesome news for us when Boom came on board,” she told The Gleaner.
Over the last few years, FFTP has moved from building an average 100 house per month to just 30. It is hoping to ramp up the numbers next year with the help of donors.