Janet Richards Foundation treats children in spirit of the season
Published:Wednesday | December 30, 2020 | 12:13 AMKavarly Arnold/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, philanthropist Janet Richards, through her foundation, has managed to host another series of Christmas treats for children at homes and health facilities in St James.
In what was the 15th annual effort by the foundation, Richards brought cheer to children at the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), Melody House, and Mustard Seed Home, finding creative ways to reach them in light of COVID-19 protocols.
“For me, this is a must-do,” said Richards. “From August, I started making plans to do all the [five] treats that I am doing. The Lord has provided more than I ever thought despite COVID,” she said, thanking Gateway Co-operative Credit Union (GCCU), the Usain Bolt Foundation, the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Caribbean Producers Jamaica and family and friends, who assisted in making the treats a success.
Challenging part
“The only challenging part is the social distancing this year because I love to be with the kids hug them, feed them, and I always look for the children who can’t help themselves. Unfortunately, I can’t do that because we have to ensure that they are protected,” she said.
Two weeks ago, Richards and representatives of GCCU visited the children’s ward at CRH to brighten the season for some excited patients, singing carols before handing out meals and toys.
With a mantra of ‘People Helping People’, Tainar Nelson, marketing and sales supervisor at GCCU, said that they had to pitch in.
“Despite COVID, we believe that in giving, we will always receive. For the children, especially, because of COVID they can’t get to interact as usual, it’s a joy for us the partner with Janet in bringing joy to them.”
The team then went to the Montego Bay Community Home for Girls (Melody House) in Irwin, Montego Bay, where they brought gifts and delivered motivational talks before closing out with traditional Christmas dinner.
People do care
“We really appreciate it. The girls are here 24/7 not going anywhere, so this has really brought a spark to the home and the girls, so I’m really happy that she brought this across. She took the opportunity to let the girls know that not because of COVID, life still goes on and that people do care,” said Yvette Mahoney, the operations manager at Melody House.
Last week, the Mustard Seed Community’s Blessed Assurance Home was treated to an afternoon of events that lit up the faces of the physically challenged children, giving them a taste of Christmas.
“We are extremely happy that the Janet Richards and the Usain Bolt foundations were able to make this happen,” said Cordell Howell-Huie, the facility’s operations manager.
Howell-Huie said that because of the pandemic, there has been a sharp decrease in the level of interactivity between the children and persons outside the facility. Even some relatives have stopped visiting, he said.
“It is people like Janet Richards coming and showing that love. They wanted to touch and hug her but it could not have happened because of the pandemic,” he said.