FLOW, brand ambassadors surprise 57 girls with pre-Christmas treat

FLOW brand ambassadors Elaine Thompson Herah and Leon Bailey were greeted by exuberant screams from girls at the Homestead Place of Safety when they turned up for a surprise pre-Christmas treat, courtesy of FLOW, on Friday, November 18.

Jamaica’s leading communications and entertainment provider pulled out all the stops to create a memorable experience, including games, entertainment and prizes for the young ladies and the home.

The girls were placed in one of two teams – Team Leon or Team Elaine – and faced off in three activities: shuttle relay, penalty kicks and a dance-off.

Appropriately, Team Elaine stormed to victory in the shuttle relays, while Team Leon evened things in the penalty kick contest. Both teams brought energy and attitude to the dance-off, but in the end, Team Elaine was unanimously voted the winners.

The winning team members in the shuttle relay and penalty kick contests each won a Samsung tablet, while every girl at the home received a Christmas gift of their choice. The Homestead Place of Safety was also gifted with a washing machine.

Since 2021 FLOW has hosted an annual Christmas treat, in partnership with the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, for children in state care. Senior Marketing Manager Latoy Lawrence said the activity allows FLOW to bring Christmas cheer to those in need.

“We look forward to this event, as it is one of the ways we give back. It’s also very rewarding, as we bring lots of energy and good vibe, and we get to have a lot of fun with the young ladies. This year’s event was extra special, as we surprised them with our brand ambassadors, Elaine and Leon, who are two of Jamaica’s biggest sporting superstars,” said Lawrence.

Bailey and Thompson Herah connected with the young ladies and their stories, as they are both from very humble beginnings but overcame the obstacles to become international stars in their respective sports. Their presence served as inspiration for many of the young women in attendance who are dealing with deep personal and family issues.

“Today allowed me to relax and take my mind off lots of things that have been bothering me. I’m glad I got to meet Elaine and Leon, and the vibe did ‘up’,” said one young lady, whose name is withheld to protect her identity.

Manager for the Homestead Place of Safety, Sellean Barracks, agreed that the impact on the young ladies will be long-lasting.

“The girls have never experienced anything like this before,” said Barracks. “They had a great time and are truly grateful for this pre-Christmas treat from FLOW. One of the young girls even said to me, it’s one of the best times she’s ever had.”

Bailey, who grew up in the tough community of Cassava Piece before moving to Europe with his family at the age of 13 to pursue and achieve his football dreams, stated: “I came from the ground up and I understand some of the struggles that they may be facing; and I’m happy to be here with FLOW to show them that they are loved and there is always hope.”

Meanwhile, Thompson Herah, said she was happy to contribute to the joy and laughter the girls experienced at the treat.

“Giving back is always something that’s dear to me, and I was excited to hear about this activity when FLOW called. I loved seeing them smile and enjoying themselves, because some of these girls have a really tough past. And I can tell that they enjoyed themselves, and I’m really happy to be a part of it,” said Thompson Herah.