Radio Jamaica Celebrating 70 Years

A s has been the custom over time, the RJRGLEANER Communications Group continues to support community- outreach projects islandwide, with two of such major projects running for more than 40 years in the Corporate Area. The RJRGLEANERCommunications Group is one of the major sponsors of Cluster C at the National Golden Age Home situated in Vineyard Town, east Kingston. The Group also supports the Citizens Advice Bureau Basic School, the brainchild of the late Mrs. Hazel Monteith. The school building adjoins the RJR compound. The devastating 1980 Eventide Home fire on Slipe Pen Road in Kingston, which claimed 153 lives, led to an instant response from Radio Jamaica 94FM night-time announcer, Carlington Sinclair took to the airwaves, supported by the management, and advocated for donations to rebuild the home for the senior citizens. His efforts were very successful, and the creation of funds to rebuild the home became a reality. That effort never to be forgotten, the management of the company engaged two staff members to work behind the scenes to continue to try to generate even more funds and to find other ways to build on what had already been donated. The National Golden Age Home is the largest Caribbean shelter for senior citizens and currently houses 450 residents, male and female. The services at the home are supported by a 160-member staff trained in varying disciplines. Apart from supplying much-needed personal items, the Corporate Affairs/Community Outreach team organises regular social activities, concerts held at the home, outings to popular locations, and events in and around the CorporateArea. Norma Brown Bell, who was the internal champion of this initiative, notes: “The community-outreach programme has received outstanding support from many private-sector entities, including Food For the Poor and The Sandals Foundation. We provide meals, bedding, utensils, and all other necessary items to make life at the residence as comfortable as possible for the senior citizens.” Community Outreach At the Heart of Radio Jamaica Page 52 Sunday July 4, 2021 continues on page 53 Yvonne Wilks-O’Grady Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager