Shelly glad for return to normality at Christmas after COVID-19
Published:Tuesday | December 27, 2022 | 1:00 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
From its inception 15 years ago, five-time world 100 metres champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce had hoped for longevity and growth in bringing yuletide cheer to her Waterhouse community with her annual Christmas treat.
Fifteen years later, Fraser-Pryce says she is grateful for the consistency they have been able to maintain, as yesterday’s annual treat held on Ashoka Road was not only about bringing Christmas cheer to her community but a return to normality after the COVID-19 pandemic limited the activities of the Pocket Rocket Foundation’s traditional yuletide festivities for the last two years.
Fraser-Pryce said that it made the Boxing Day festivities special for her.
“It definitely is a lot more special. Two years ago we didn’t have it because of COVID-19 and not being able to have it was a bummer for me because this was the joy for me, giving back and being able to spend the day with my community members. And not being able to do that was a sore point for me,” Fraser-Pryce said. “To be able to come back this year has just been remarkable, so I am also very grateful for the work that the Ministry of Health has put out for us to be able to keep things under control and to be able to have the treat and the sponsors were able to show up in a big way.”
Strong corporate support
The children were entertained with food, games, and rides in what has become an annual tradition for the community. It is one that Fraser-Pryce is appreciative that there has been strong corporate support for.
“The aim is always to grow. But different things happen in other years and you find that you sometimes don’t have the resources or the income to do it sometimes. But I have been blessed to have had sponsors throughout this treat for the 15 years who have always showed up. And I think I owe them a lot for that,” Fraser-Pryce said.
For 2023 Fraser-Pryce plans to increase the level of support for student-athletes with over 1,000 being targeted through the Pocket Rocket Foundation. Since 2013 the foundation has offered scholarships to 62 student-athletes including Carifta Games 800m and 1500m champion J’Voughnn Blake who is currently at Dartmouth College in the United States. With the injection from Nike, Fraser-Pryce is excited about what more she can do to help.
“I think legacy is always about the impact and how we advance young people to see themselves. I am excited for what we are going to be doing come January. We want to be able to help our student-athletes navigate those avenues of their lives so they will be able to have an impact themselves in their communities. Recently Nike donated to the Pocket Rocket Foundation and because of those resources, we will be able to do more for Jamaican student-athletes,” Fraser-Pryce said.