Dealers sustain relief efforts as festive season approaches
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Members of the Stewart’s Automotive Group team pack food, water, and baby essentials into care bundles as the company ramps up relief efforts for families hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa in western Jamaica.
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Left: Stewart’s Automotive Group Managing Director, Jacqueline Stewart Lechler (centre), helps deliver care packages to families in Westmoreland impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
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Survivors of Hurricane Melissa in Westmoreland proudly display their new mattresses donated through the “Beds for Jamaica” project, an initiative started by U.S.-based 9th-grader Zoraida de Souza. Stewart’s Automotive Group supported the effort by delivering 70 beds to affected families.
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Members of the Fidelity Motors Group are seen delivering essential relief packages to families, diligently working to restore lives and communities after the passing of Hurricane Melissa.
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Fidelity Motors team, distributors of Nissan, navigate heavily affected terrain in Black River, St Elizabeth.
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(left to right)Dr. Wendy Freckleton, Chairwoman of Candle in the Dark Ministry and The Fidelity Motors team (Ms. Andrea Davis, Mrs. Deborah Stewart, Ms. Anna-Kaye Wright, Mrs. Daina Lewis), hands over feminine hygiene relief packages to the ladies of Bishop Gibson High, received by Alumni Mrs. Nadia Teape (middle), extending critical support to women in need within Black River, St Elizabeth.
While the immediate winds of Hurricane Melissa have long subsided, the recovery process for Jamaica’s western parishes remains a daily reality. As the island approaches the festive season, the automotive sector has not retracted its support. Instead, dealerships have transitioned from emergency response to sustained rehabilitation, ensuring that displaced families are not forgotten during the holidays.
This continued mobilisation of resources underscores the industry’s commitment to long-term national recovery, with major players orchestrating large-scale logistical operations to deliver aid to the hardest-hit communities.
Stewart’s Automotive Mobilises J$30 Million
Leading a significant charge in the post-hurricane landscape is Stewart’s Automotive Group. Leveraging its philanthropic arms – the Richard and Diana Stewart Foundation and the Kind Hearts Foundation – the group has mobilised over J$30 million in relief funds to date. The initiative targets a broad corridor of destruction spanning St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St James, Trelawny, and St Ann.
In the weeks following the Category 5 storm, the Group’s logistical teams have managed the distribution of critical supplies, including mattresses, food, water, and clothing, to more than 2,000 families. The relief convoy has reached deep into rural communities, providing succour to residents in Catherine Hall, Bunkers Hill, Salt Marsh, and Shrewsbury Logwood, among others.
Jacqueline Stewart Lechler, managing director of Stewart’s Automotive Group, emphasised the moral imperative behind the operation. “Jamaica is heartbroken by the overwhelming devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa,” Stewart Lechler stated. “Our brothers and sisters in the west are facing unimaginable losses. Through the Richard and Diana Stewart Foundation and Kind Hearts Foundation, the Stewart’s Automotive Group has responded to the call for action to help our fellow Jamaicans in every way we can.”
Corporate Coalition and Infrastructure Support
The relief programme has evolved into a collaborative effort involving a wide network of corporate entities. Partners such as Automotive Art, Wisynco, Food For the Poor Jamaica, and the Jamaica Biscuit Company Ltd have joined forces with the automotive dealer to bolster the supply chain.
Beyond basic sustenance, the initiative has addressed critical infrastructure needs. The Petersfield Shelter in Westmoreland, a focal point for displaced residents, received a water-filtration system courtesy of Isratech Jamaica Ltd and Planet Water. Additionally, reliable power was restored to the facility through the donation of two generators by Croydon in the Mountains, the Honey Bun Foundation, and God’s Pit Crew.
Anthony Clarke, manager of the Petersfield Shelter, noted the psychological impact of the aid. “On behalf of the Petersfield community and the people of Westmoreland, a big thank you for the assistance and packages,” Clarke said. “We didn’t just get food and supplies, we got hope.”
Looking toward the future, Stewart’s Automotive Group has integrated relief funding into its commercial operations. The company has pledged J$100,000 from the sale of every vehicle to fund ongoing rebuilding initiatives, partnering with the Global Empowerment Mission and the American Friends of Jamaica to restore homes and livelihoods.
Fidelity Motors Deploys Nissan Fleet
Parallel to these efforts, Fidelity Motors Limited has focused its resources on St Elizabeth, the parish arguably most affected by the storm’s agricultural impact. The dealership organised a specialised convoy comprising Nissan pickups, utilising the vehicles’ payload capabilities to transport care packages into areas where road conditions remain challenging.
The operation was characterised by direct staff engagement, with Fidelity employees accompanying the vehicles to assist with distribution. The team worked alongside local police officers to coordinate the safe handover of supplies, ensuring that aid reached residents efficiently. This hands-on approach allowed the dealership to maintain a connection with the communities they serve, offering personal reassurance alongside material support.
As the year draws to a close, these continued efforts by Jamaica’s auto dealers signal that while the storm has passed, the drive to rebuild the nation remains in high gear.