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St Ann police and friends host back-to-school health fair and treat

Published:Monday | August 26, 2024 | 12:06 AMCarl Gilchrist/Gleaner Writer
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Children gather around the area where school bags were being distributed during last Thursday’s health fair and treat, as personnel from Sandals and the St Ann police get ready to start handing them out.
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Children gather around the area where school bags were being distributed during last Thursday’s health fair and treat, as personnel from Sandals and the St Ann police get ready to start handing them out.
Seven month-old Dontae Brissett, affectionately called Chubby, of St Ann’s Bay, was happy to be in the company of Deputy Superintendent of Police Kevon Chambers, of the St Ann police division, at the health fair and treat.
Carl Gilchrist
Seven month-old Dontae Brissett, affectionately called Chubby, of St Ann’s Bay, was happy to be in the company of Deputy Superintendent of Police Kevon Chambers, of the St Ann police division, at the health fair and treat.
As his mother, Shannek Goulbourne (left), looks on, four year-old Shaquor Kelly enjoys the company of (from second left) Lyndsay Isaacs, regional public relations manager at Sandals, Deputy Superintendent of Police Kevon Chambers, and Inspector Debbie Bow
Carl Gilchrist
As his mother, Shannek Goulbourne (left), looks on, four year-old Shaquor Kelly enjoys the company of (from second left) Lyndsay Isaacs, regional public relations manager at Sandals, Deputy Superintendent of Police Kevon Chambers, and Inspector Debbie Bowen-Jones, of the St Ann police division, during the police health fair and treat.
Seven year-old Zachary Wilson, a student at St Ann’s Bay Primary School, is examined by a dentist during the St Ann police health fair and treat.
Carl Gilchrist
Seven year-old Zachary Wilson, a student at St Ann’s Bay Primary School, is examined by a dentist during the St Ann police health fair and treat.
Lyndsay Isaacs (second left), regional public relations manager, Sandals, and other team members, serve refreshments for the crowd during the St Ann police health fair and treat last Thursday.
Carl Gilchrist
Lyndsay Isaacs (second left), regional public relations manager, Sandals, and other team members, serve refreshments for the crowd during the St Ann police health fair and treat last Thursday.
Photos by Carl Gilchrist
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The St Ann police headquarters, in conjunction with the Sandals Foundation, Great Shape Inc, and the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) and other sponsors, catered to more than 250 people during their recent annual back-to-school health fair and treat.

In anticipation of the huge turnout, the event, held last Thursday, was shifted from the grounds of the police headquarters in St Ann’s Bay to the nearby St Ann Parish Library.

Students had their medicals for back to school done and were also able to get free dental care, in addition to school supplies that included bags, books and other items. Adults were able to get their blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol checks done. Persons who attended were also treated to refreshments.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Kevon Chambers, who, along with Inspector Debbie Bowen-Jones, led the police team that was at the location, said assistance for the event also came from the business community in and around St Ann’s Bay, especially the Chinese, along with M and M Enterprise in Salem, Runaway Bay, and Hawkeye Jamaica.

Sandals played a significant role, including supplying a dental bus, while NERHA provided medical personnel.

“The turnout was overwhelming. We had over 250 children and parents,” Chambers said in confirming the numbers.

He said the police were happy to assist families in preparing for back to school and in ensuring they maintain good health. Chambers also encouraged students to abide by the rules of their institutions.

“It’s important that the students stick to the regulations and laws set out by their schools, to ensure they remain good students,” Chambers urged.

Lyndsay Isaacs, regional public relations manager at Sandals, and the team from Sandals Foundation, joined Bowen-Jones and other police personnel in serving refreshments and handing out school supplies, and showed patience in dealing with the crowd.

Isaacs expressed delight in Sandals being able to join forces with the Jamaica Constabulary Force and NERHA to make the event possible.

“Today was very successful, as the different pockets of communities in St Ann came out to receive the services we arranged,” Isaacs told The Gleaner.

“None of this would have been possible without the logistics and contribution from Inspector Bowen-Jones and her amazing supporting team, who ensured everything was smooth from start to finish,” she added.

editorial@gleanerjm.com