MIRAMAR – The Lighthouse Holiness Church in Miramar has donated a large shipment of supplies totaling nearly $58,000 (US) to families and health institutions across the island.
Needy families throughout eight parishes – St. Elizabeth, Portland, St. Thomas, Trelawny, Clarendon, Westmoreland, St. James, and Kingston and St. Andrew will benefit from the supplies. Feeding programs are also carried out in nursing homes.
The large shipment includes clothing, beds, wheelchairs and walkers, non-perishable foods and educational items.
The distribution process will take place early next month when volunteers of the church’s annual mission to Jamaica “Have a Heart Ministry,” arrive on the island.
Jamaican-born pastor of the congregation, Reverend Letoria Derizzio, explained that this year the collection was expanded tremendously to assist more families in those areas recently affected by the passage of Hurricane Dean.
The program which began nearly ten years ago has grown to assist hundreds of person across the island.
On completion of the annual mission to the island, the congregation at Lighthouse Holiness Church usually begin their next collection drive. The Pastor expressed gratitude to the congregation for their donations and volunteerism. She noted that the effectiveness of the program was a testament to the congregation’s commitment.
The project is coordinated by the Red Cross, Salvation Army and local churches and schools in the distribution effort throughout the parishes.
Manufacturers and distributors, corporations and public offices in Florida as well as Jamaica have also been supporters of the program.
