A two-day ‘radio-thon’ in the South Florida area carried out by Jamaican-owned station WSRF-AM 1580 recently raised over $20,000 (US) from listeners throughout the United States.
The ‘radio-thon’, aired during October last year, was a collective effort by producers at the radio station at its Fort Lauderdale location, as they responded to the devastation done to islands of the Caribbean region during the active hurricane season.
The funds were equally distributed among four Caribbean islands – Jamaica, Grenada, Cayman Islands and Haiti – to assist in recovery efforts after extensive damage to each area.
While Haiti experienced significant loss to humans and property after the impact of Hurricane Jeanne, Grenada, Jamaica and Cayman Islands encountered extensive damage also.
The presentation of checks was made to Consuls General representing the respective countries at a ceremony at the Lauderdale Lakes City Commission, Fort Lauderdale, on Tuesday, January 25.
Major recovery effort is still being carried out in the entire region to rebuild in the areas of tourism, agriculture/livestock, roads and transportation and other public infrastructure as well as personal property.
Jamaica’s Consul General to Southeastern USA, Ricardo Allicock, who also chairs the CARICOM Consular Corps in South Florida, indicated that this effort spoke to the deep affinity that exists between South Florida and its Caribbean neighbors.
Mr. Allicock also praised the efforts of the many donors whom he said had taken the time to consider the plight of those less fortunate in the Caribbean although Florida state had its own challenges during the active hurricane season last year.
Other Consular representatives in expressing appreciation echoed similar sentiments that demonstrated a ‘true spirit of community outreach.’
Making presentations to the Caribbean Consular representatives, Mr. Andre Egglettion and Ms. Lynda Hudson of WSRF Radio pointed out that the donations were a united effort to offer some comfort and consolation to those in need after the impact of the hurricane season to the region.
The South Florida region is home to one of the largest number of immigrants from the Caribbean region to the United States.
