VINEYARD, St. Elizabeth — Residents of this farming community put recovery worries aside Sunday, July 19. JN Money hosted a football watch party that brought families, friends and neighbours together for an afternoon of fellowship, food and much-needed cheer.
The event, staged in partnership with JN Bank, Wisynco and CB Foods, transformed the Melissa-ravaged district into a lively gathering spot. Residents packed the Vineyard Community Centre to watch Spain defeat defending champion Argentina 1-0 after extra time. Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute to secure the title.
Fitzroy James, president of the Vineyard Community Sports Club, said the initiative was especially meaningful because it showed JN Money’s continued commitment to the community.
In January, JN Money partnered with British-Jamaican comedian, actor and social media personality Harry “White Yardie” Gregory and the JN Foundation to distribute care packages to residents affected by Hurricane Melissa.
“What JN Money has done is highly appreciated. We are still recovering from Hurricane Melissa, so for them to be back in this way is huge. This is something special, and we must say thank you,” James said.
Resident Sasah Thompson said the watch party offered Vineyard a welcome break after a difficult few months. She said a series of setbacks, worsened by the October hurricane, had left many residents and farmers facing economic and emotional strain.
“It was refreshing. Vineyard needed this. We are a small community with a lot of vibes, but some events have crushed us recently, and Melissa just topped it off, making us depressed,” Thompson said. “This helped to bring us back. Vineyard loves sports, and to see everyone come out on this Sunday evening, being refreshed and enjoying the football with JN Money, is something we truly appreciate.”
Passion for Football
The watch party also underscored Vineyard’s deep passion for football. Like many Jamaican communities, residents are devoted supporters of Brazil or Argentina. But after Brazil’s early exit, some fans, including Kimoy Griffiths, shifted their support to Spain for the final. This added to the lighthearted rivalry that kept the crowd engaged throughout the afternoon.
“The best part for me was seeing Argentina lose,” Griffiths said with a laugh. “It was a really good experience, and we need more events like this in our little community. It was great to know that JN Money was thinking about us and came to give back in this way. Events like this bring the community together. Seeing everybody out enjoying themselves was really good.”
Community Spirit
Cedrica Reid, head of marketing and sales at JN Money, said the watch party reinforced the importance of community connection during difficult times. She said that by creating a space where residents could set aside daily challenges and unite over their shared love of football, the remittance brand sought to deliver more than a viewing experience — offering an afternoon of hope, camaraderie and renewed community spirit.
“At JN Money, we are committed to being present for the communities we serve, not only during times of celebration but also in moments of need. Earlier this year, we stood with Vineyard as residents recovered from the impact of Hurricane Melissa, and this watch party is another way of demonstrating that our commitment extends beyond immediate relief,” Reid said. “We believe in investing in communities by creating opportunities that foster connection, inclusion and well-being, because strong communities are built through consistent support and meaningful engagement.”
