By Sade Gardner
Observer writer—-
Singer Richie Stephens (left) speaking with founders of For Jamaica charity, Raymond and Stepahie Azan, at Saturday’s handover of mattresses and pillows to Maxfield Children’s Home in St Andrew. (Photos: Jason Tulloch)—
Four orphanages are beneficiaries of mattresses, beds, pillows and sheeting from a Florida-based charity. They were donated on Saturday across Kingston and St Andrew.
For Jamaica, a non-profit organisation made the donations from proceeds of their annual fund-raising concert. Last year’s show featured Richie Stephens.
The recipients are Sophie’s Place and My Father’s Place of Mustard Seed Communities, St Andrew Parish Church Home for Girls, and Maxfield Park Children’s Home. Stephens appeared at the handover of 33 beds and 97 mattresses at the Maxfield Park facility in Kingston.
“I’m no stranger to giving back as I have been doing it for several years. I always listen to people when they call me for these things. It’s not all the time I am available or can do it, but some of them, you try to make sure you do it,” Stephens told the Jamaica Observer.
He also performed with members of his Ska Nation band.
For Jamaica was founded in 2006 after Raymond Azan and his wife, Stephanie, saw a need for bedding in children’s homes while working with a place of safety in Granville, Trelawny. The beds are made by Stuart’s Joinery & Door Manufacturing Company Limited based in Montego Bay, while the mattresses were made by BOSS Furniture.
“The mattresses are actually foam mattresses which are wrapped in hospital ticking because a lot of these children have bed-wetting issues because of trauma. Having hospital ticking makes the mattresses a lot more hygienic so the caretakers can wipe them clean and keep them sanitised,” Mrs Azan said.
Reggae greats Toots and The Maytals will headline the charity’s 13th fund-raising show on April 21 in Plantation, Florida. Singer Nikki Guerra, cellist Dave Edgar, percussionist Chuck Palmer, bassist Ariel de la Portilla are also set to perform.
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