Cop gives back to community

As a child growing up in Rock River, St Mary, Hornet Williams walked five miles every day to the Richmond Primary and Junior High School, sometimes without lunch. He said his survival at times depended on kind-hearted people, who would offer assistance where they could.

Now a deputy superintendent of police, Williams said he remembers his humble beginnings and has made it his priority to give back to the less fortunate.

Through his company, Super Willy Promotions, Williams has hosted various benefit events to give back to various communities across the island, including Harbour View in St Andrew, Rae Town in Kingston, and Rock River in St Mary.

Two weeks ago, Williams visited his former primary school, where he donated some much-needed fans to the school. He also offered advice to the students.

"I shared the 'heights by great men' proverbs and I told them the importance of focusing on that they want. Don't grudge nobody fi what them have because it doesn't necessarily come honestly sometimes. Be honest, be focused, then the star will be the limit," Williams told the students.

He then visited the Rock River Basic School in St Mary, which the school's chairman, Dr Isaac Brown, said was in dire need of proper bathrooms, as the school only had a single bathroom that was being shared by male and female staff and students.

Williams made donations, amounting to about $80,000, which afforded the school three different bathroom facilities, for which he said the school is grateful, said Brown.

"We are overjoyed because the Early Childhood Commission is marking us down when they do their assessment, because we do not have some of the facilities that they require, and one such facility was a separate bathroom facility for the children," he said.

dire need

But Williams' charitable spirit has a far reach, as while he was stationed in east Kingston, Williams started an annual Christmas treat project.

"Every Christmas I do treats, where I do some grocery baskets valued about $5,000 and I drive around and give back to the elderly people, who basically can't come out, or people in dire need," he told THE STAR.

Now stationed in May Pen, Clarendon, Williams has continued the treat in the area, where he said the response of one woman touched his heart.

"When I went to a lady and gave her the gift basket, she cried and said if I didn't take it to her, nobody would remember her for Christmas," Williams said.

It is moments like these that Williams says he lives for.

"I will continue giving. It is a feeling of satisfaction to me that I can give back, and give to people who are honestly in need. If you gave me a million dollars, I wouldn't feel better than I felt then," he said.

Williams is encouraging others to follow suit, and give with a willing heart, as they will be duly rewarded.