BREDS leads recovery efforts in Treasure Beach

Three fundraising events are being organised as part of Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts in Treasure Beach.

The first takes place on Saturday, November 22, when Maxwell Henzell, 16, son of Jason Henzell, operator of Jakes Hotel and Jack Sprat restaurant, will host a charity pickleball tournament, ‘Rally for Recovery’, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Pickle & Chill in St Andrew.

Maxwell is working with BREDS Treasure Beach Foundation and Alexandra Azar of Nation Builders Foundation for Hurricane Relief. Proceeds will be split evenly between the two organisations.

On Saturday, November 29, Lara Lowe will stage a fundraising cooler fete called ‘Grove’ at West King’s House Road in St Andrew, under the theme Let’s Gather, Give Thanks, and Give Back. Parking will be available at 8 King’s House Road, and patrons are asked to contribute $5,000. All proceeds will benefit BREDS.

The recovery effort also focuses on supporting farmers and fishermen who rely on the Henzell family’s leadership.

BREDS has already distributed 500 rolls of mesh to more than 120 fishermen, with more to follow. Farm store vouchers will also be issued to small, medium and large farmers through the Farmers Assistance Programme, in partnership with Hardware and Lumber and American Friends of Jamaica, beginning next Tuesday.

The third event is set for Saturday, December 7. The Treasure Beach Rum, Food and Reggae Festival, originally scheduled for November 7 to 9, has been converted into a charity concert at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew. Headliners Agent Sasco and Capleton have waived the balance of their performance fees in support of the cause.

BREDS Treasure Beach Foundation, a grassroots community-led organisation based in St Elizabeth, has worked across eight districts on Jamaica’s south coast for nearly 30 years, advancing fishing and farming communities through sport, healthcare and education.

“BREDS was utterly essential in hurricane recovery after Hurricane Beryl just 16 months ago, and now BREDS is on the front lines of recovery after Hurricane Melissa. Your donation will go directly to crucial Hurricane Melissa relief efforts for not just our direct community, but also our neighbouring communities to the direct west and north, hardest hit by this devastating storm,” the foundation said.