St Ann Infirmary gets support

The fourth annual Elegant You Tea Party, presented by Thora’s Elegant Design and The Art of Catering, took place in Toronto, Canada, last year, where six women of the clergy were honoured during the Women of Purpose Awards.

Part proceeds from the event have been earmarked for two charities, the Olive Branch of Hope Cancer Support Services in Canada and the St Ann Infirmary in Jamaica.

After last year’s initial donation to the St Ann Infirmary, organiser Thora Daley returned to the infirmary on Thursday, confirming that her donation to the institution has, indeed, become an annual event.

Daley and her husband, accompanied by Simone Richards, who flew in with her from Canada, and Pamela Reid, who is based in St Ann, brought boxes of goods for the infirmary and personal items for the residents.

These included a blood pressure monitor, thermometers, bedding, and bags with toiletries. Snacks, including tuna sandwiches, bun and cheese and carrot sticks, were also provided for the residents.

“The experience this year was great,” Daley told The Gleaner after handing over the events. “I thank God for the people who live here (in Jamaica). they were able to come out and participate with us to do the handover, and it’s such a blessing, and I look forward to next year.”

Reid, who was the main local contact, was happy she was able to assist. According to her, “It opens up your heart to help all these people. The facility was very impressive, very clean. I thank Thora for going out of her way and doing this every year for these people, and I’m on board to help her as much as she needs.”

Richards, who was on her first trip to Jamaica, was also happy for the occasion.

“It’s been amazing, a beautiful experience, and coming here to the infirmary today is such a blessing,” she told The Gleaner. “Back home in Canada, I do work in shelters, so coming out here and seeing how these guys are living and being able to give back in a different country is just so powerful for me. I will definitely continue.”

The gifts were welcomed by Councillor Dallas Dickenson, chairman of the Poor Relief Department of the St Ann Municipal Corporation, which oversees the infirmary, and the management and staff at the institution.

“I want to thank Mrs Daley and her team, and I’ve discovered now it has become an annual event, and I hope this will continue for a long time to come because the infirmary needs corporate citizens like these,” Dickenson said.

“We’re very heartened for the gifts we’ve received. these things help to enhance the infirmary, motivate the staff and take care of the inmates themselves and overall to give a new, fresher look to the infirmary. As chairman of the Poor Relief Department, I want to say thanks to her for remembering, the St Ann Infirmary and we’re very heartened by this gesture,” she added.