Hi Neighbour! I want to publicly thank S. Webster from Orlando, Florida, for that inspirational long-distance call last week. Sometimes when you think that yours may the lonely voice in the wilderness, it is always refreshing to hear another reassuring voice.
What is even more refreshing is that you are not only being heard but people are believing you and are acting on what you say. Thanks again S.W. for believing with me that this column can create a positive shift in the Jamaican mindset and will inspire others to become more neighbourly. Soon our motto 'Out of Many, One People' will become a reality for all, replacing the elusive dream it has been in some quarters for 47 years of Independence. By the way, independence does not mean independence from one another. Interdependence must be the essence of our existence.
Let me move on by commending Matron A.V. Hyatt, principal of the Doncaster School of Nursing, for her superb act of neighbourliness. As a true philanthropist, the matron wanted to facilitate mobility for at least two elderly persons. Unable to identify these persons readily, she sought the assistance of Power 106 FM in finding two suitable persons for two wheelchairs. Power 106 FM in turn called on The Jamaica Red Cross and Hello Mi Neighbour to help in identifying such persons.
As you can imagine, that was a very easy task. We are always receiving requests from needy, elderly neighbours.
The Jamaica Red Cross quickly identified Ruel Reid in Kingston while, in quick time, this neighbour was able to identify Urel Evans from St Elizabeth as possible recipients of these chairs. Because of the physical challenges of the prospective recipients, however, they would have been unable to collect these gifts without the help of kind neighbours.
Thankfully, good neighbours are everywhere. The good neighbour, Jamaica Red Cross, volunteered to transport Mr Reid, in a small bus donated by Flow, to the Doncaster School of Nursing in Kingston 2, on July 16, to receive his wheelchair. Mr Reid, who was very thankful for the brand-new wheelchair, felt as if he had got a new lease on life.
The second recipient, 97-year-old Urel Evans, was represented by a good neighbour and close family friend, Patrick Watson, who said Mr Evans had needed a wheelchair for a long time. Donor of the chairs, Matron Hyatt, was very elated and said she would encourage everyone to become a giver and experience the incomparable joy of giving!
I must say a big thank you to Sandie Saunders of Power 106 FM and Music 99 FM and her team for their role in pulling the whole thing together. Thanks also to members of the Red Cross and the entire Hello Mi Neighbour team who were present to witness this joyous occasion.
Love your neighbour as yourself and you will never run out of good neighbours.
Have a good 'neighbourday'.
Silton Townsend, author of 'Hello Mi Neighbour', is best known for his role in the local sitcom, 'Lime Tree Lane'.
Lady Allen interacts with a child during a tour of My Father's House at the Mustard Seed Communities headquarters on Mahoe Drive in St Andrew on Monday. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer
Thanks you neighbours
1. Derie Gilzeane and Novie Frith for their coordinating our activities. Continue to keep up the good work.
2. All the persons who made financial contributions to this project, especially the anonymous ones.
3. Antoinette, St Andrew, for seeking to assist a 96-year-old man with clothing.
4. Ms Callaghan, England, for her financial contribution.
5. Mr Finlayson, St Andrew, for offering financial assistance to a neighbour.
6. Ms Moseley, for donation of female clothing.
7. Ms Maragh, Clarendon, for connecting with Janice, also in Clarendon, who asked her neighbours to assist with a dining table.
8. Ms Lewis (St Catherine) for offering to assist Ms Thompson, an elderly woman who suffered a devastating loss and was in need of a gas cylinder to restart her life.
Help a neighbour
1. Anthony, Kingston, needs a stove with an oven. He's trying to start a business to help himself. He is unemployed.
2. Neighbour, St Elizabeth, mother of four. She has no support from children's father who has now turned to drugs; needs help with food desperately.
3. Mr Smith, unemployed, of Westmoreland, needs a barber's chair to start a small business.
4. Neighbour, Kingston, sister has lumps in her breasts; needs to undergo surgery to remove them. she's asking persons for financial assistance.
To help, please call 906-3167, 884-3866 or 373-7745 or send email to: neighbourtoo@yahoo.com and we will make the link. Those who desire to make financial donations to this project may make deposits to Acct # 351 044 276 at the National Commercial Bank. Bank routing number: JNCBJMKX.