Lawes seeks help to give back
Published:Saturday | December 28, 2019 | 12:00 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
For the sixth successive year, the One Law Christmas Day charity event, organised by Waterhouse defender Shawn Lawes, has not only put a smile on the face of the youngsters from Cockburn Gardens, and the homeless living in downtown Kingston, but it also gave a deep personal satisfaction to the player himself.
On Christmas Day, Lawes hosted an under-15 competition in his community, Cockburn Gardens, then in the evening went into the streets of downtown Kingston to distribute 100 meals to homeless individuals.
Lawes has done this for the last six years with just the support of his wife, Monique, other relatives and friends.
“My main dream is to do this weekly, instead of once for the year,” Lawes said. “Right now, it’s outside my capacity, but that is where my mindset is.
“I am thinking about registering a charity foundation and then maybe from there I can get some sponsors, because I am happy when others around are smiling, that brings joy to my holiday. So this is something I enjoy doing and I do it from my heart.”
He said the young footballers in his community also came out on the day and had what he describes as a great and fun tournament.
“The football competition was an under-15 competition,” he said. “We had a prize money and two trophies: the MVP and winning trophy. We also had gold, silver, and bronze medals.
“I met a couple of (homeless) guys who actually knew me. They told me they always watch my games and they refer to me as number 30 (jersey number at Waterhouse), so that was a good feeling. But to be able to put smiles on other face just makes me happy,” he said.