Mon | Sep 9, 2024

Busta provides post-hurricane assistance in St Bess

Published:Monday | August 5, 2024 | 12:10 AM
Roseann Crowe, a mother of five who lost her house in Hurricane Beryl, receives a donation of Busta Soft Drinks on July 27 from Floyd Green, member of parliament.
Contributed
Roseann Crowe, a mother of five who lost her house in Hurricane Beryl, receives a donation of Busta Soft Drinks on July 27 from Floyd Green, member of parliament.

Busta Soft Drinks joined hands and heart in providing much-needed aid for residents in St Elizabeth, following the destruction caused by the recent Hurricane Beryl that pummelled the southern coast of Jamaica. Members of the Busta team journeyed to the ‘bread-basket’ parish, joining the member of Parliament for South Western St Elizabeth, Floyd Green, in distributing the products to the residents who were greatly affected.

On Saturday, the leading fruit flavoured carbonated soft drink in the Caribbean, donated 500 cases of Busta Soft Drink, along with care packages, to residents living in South Western St Elizabeth, specifically the communities of Watchwell and Middle Quarters.

Gary Dixon, vice president of marketing, SM Jaleel & Company Ltd, said the company found it necessary to provide a helping hand in restoring a level of comfort to those affected by the hurricane.

He stated that, “By now, we’ve all seen the damages sustained in St Elizabeth, and deemed it important to assist in bringing back some level of normalcy in any way possible. This donation emphasises the power of community, as we help our fellow Jamaicans build back stronger. Many households lost their livelihoods, and received major damages to their homes, so donations big or small provide a semblance of hope for those who suffered severe impacts. This is in addition to 2200 cases donated through Seprod.

“Busta is a brand that enjoys giving back to the community, so in the face of adversity, it was only right for us to step up to the plate and provide relief to those who need it. It was very rewarding to see how grateful the recipients were in spite of the current situation,” Dixon continued.

Notwithstanding the squall line that passed across the island early Friday night, residents were greatly appreciative of the donations, greeting the team with warm, generous smiles and a thankful heart.

Hurricane Beryl ravaged the south coast of Jamaica early July, leaving damages to numerous homes, loss of livestock, and damages to electric poles, causing loss of electricity in many communities islandwide.