Edge Michael reaches out to street people

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:The generous spirit of reggae singer Edge Michael was again demonstrated in a tangible way last week Thursday when he answered a call for help from the Montego Bay-based Open Heart Charitable Mission and fed some 100 street people for whom the organisation has established a feeding programme.

"This is a part of an ongoing effort to help those who are less fortunate in society," the singer said. "Their circumstance could have happened to any of us. It is important to lend a hand of kindness when you can because you never know when you will need someone to return the favour."

Edge Michael, whose real name is Oral Durloo, is no stranger to philanthropy as he has been assisting the Montego Bay-based Blossom Garden Children's Home over the years. Just two weeks ago, he partnered with the Poor Relief Department of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation to treat 200 homeless persons to lunch.

"Together we can do it; together we can help," said Edge Michael. "Whatever you have, just share it with someone in need because the economic situation is tough on us all, but it is worse with those who do not have anything."

HELPING HAND

The Open Heart Charitable Mission is a non-profit organisation that operates a care centre for the homeless on Orange Street in downtown Montego Bay, and a night shelter in Albion, also in Montego Bay.

While the organisation operates in a partnership framework with the St James Parish Council, the Open Heart Charitable Mission has to generate its own funding to sustain the outreach efforts and administrative costs it incurs on a daily basis.

According to Enamay Waunliss, the administrator for Open Heart Charitable Mission, assistance such as that which was provided by Edge Michael is needed on a daily basis. She has issued a call to other persons to come on-board with whatever assistance they can afford.

"We are not funded by the Government, so we have to depend on sponsors to sustain the initiatives," said Waunliss. "If you don't have money to donate but you have some food items, clothes, or toiletries, you can give those. Those little donations can go a far way to help us help others who really need it."

It should be interesting to note that Edge Michael, the nephew of reggae icon Peter Tosh, was recently robbed of musical equipment valued at millions of dollars. However, the robbery has not damped his charitable spirit.