Bamm Holt, SunCity give back to disabled - One lucky family each week to get $10,000
Published:Saturday | April 25, 2020 | 12:00 AMStephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer
Musician Bamm Holt has teamed up with SunCity Radio to provide some COVID-19 relief to disabled persons during the pandemic.
Born Scwayne Holt, the grandson of reggae icon John Holt, the artiste has, through the Volts of Holt Foundation’s HOPE Charity, partnered with SunCity Radio for an initiative called Hope for the Disabled.
“With my partnership with these two programmes, a difference will be made. A lot of persons have been affected by the current events, and their needs have gone unnoticed. This was just an opportunity to help those who need it and have been left out because at the end of the day, we are all we have,” Holt stressed.
In giving back to the disabled community, the Spanish Town native said that with the disabled seemingly often overlooked, they were the perfect group to start with.
“Giving back holds a significant place in my heart. It doesn’t really matter which group, but we considered one set – a person who has a disability or has a mother, father, child, or relative they live with and want help – once they explain their story of survival and how the donations will help them to cope,” he shared.
He told The Gleaner that if his grandfather – who belted out hits like Man Next Door, Stick By Me, and Help Me Make It Through the Night and passed away a little over five years ago – was still around, he would have advised him to “try to cover more ground and help out as much as you can”.
Steve Billings, CEO of SunCity and vice-chairman of the Media Association Jamaica, said that there is an urgent need for Jamaicans locally and in the diaspora to work together to raise awareness around COVID-19.
“I, along with the team at SunCity 104.9FM, have observed all [protocols to reduce the spread of] COVID-19 and have found creative means and ways to educate listeners. This includes the ‘Enabling the Disabled’ outreach,” Billings told The Gleaner.
He added: “As a part of the partnership with Volts of Holt Foundation, the campaign is expanding its reach. Despite the restrictions of curfew and lockdown across several communities, we have been able to successfully execute the initiative while staunchly supporting the ideals of ‘Jamaica together, at home’, utilising technology, and we encourage everyone to play their part.”
Persons who are in need of assistance can send an audio recording to (876) 832-0554 sharing their story, which, if aired on the SunCity Morning Show, means that they have been selected to receive $10,000.
The first recipient was Shamari McKoy, a 10-year-old resident of Norwood, St James, who has cerebral palsy. His grandmother shared his story, explaining Shamari’s need for a paediatric wheelchair because he is unable to walk or sit up. The story touched the recording artiste and his partners, who anticipate that the money will provide some assistance towards that goal.