Promoters ‘roll out’ to assist Marie Atkins Night Shelter

The constant cry from undeserved members of society during the COVID-19 pandemic has been heard by members of the entertainment industry.

Level Up Entertainment, a team of promoters known for their 'Roll Out' event series, last week donated toiletries and other items to the Marie Atkins Night Shelter on Hanover Street in Kingston.

The team collaborated with local non-profit organisation 876 Volunteer to deliver the donations to the residents.

" We felt it was necessary for us to try to help out during this challenging time," said Romario Ramcharan, promoter of Level Up Entertainment.

The promoters heeded the call of Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie who, during a digital press conference at Jamaica House recently, said there is need for Jamaicans to "pay some serious attention" to the homeless, who are especially vulnerable during the pandemic.

McKenzie also announced the immediate opening of a 100-bed shelter on Church Street, and mentioned that the Marie Atkins facility was running out of space to shelter the homeless.

MAKE CARING A PRIORITY

Ramcharan said that 876 Volunteer ambassador Simone Brown informed the team about the need at the Marie Atkins shelter. The shelter provides them with a bath, a place to sleep and food to eat.

Ramcharan noted that the night shelter had also offered to keep the homeless during the day, the majority being elderly and disabled.

"We need to make caring for these groups a priority and we recognise, with the increase in numbers, that the demand for food and supplies has grown. This need demonstrates the homeless are not being given sufficient attention - the less fortunate need help, it doesn't matter how small the contribution," he said. "We spoke with Minister McKenzie about the shelter and decided to help with fulfilling the needs and also shed light on this situation to hopefully inspire others to help donate. We do need more shelters across the island, but we can start with funding and feeding programmes, which can be developed through partnerships, to continue to assist them. This will help to keep them off the streets."

The promoters are currently organising another drop-off to the shelter. Mavis Farquharson, the manager of the facility, also pointed out the need for male clothing and more food items.

Kareem Murdock, another one of the Roll Out promoters, said they wished Jamaicans would follow the Government's stay-at-home order and practise social distancing.

"Those who are in the private sector, the entertainment industry or otherwise need to step up and do what they can. No matter how small a donation, it is necessary. We can only fight this pandemic together and keep looking out for each other," he said.