TTFA, Ato Boldon plan relief efforts for Jamaica

THE TT Football Association (TTFA) and four-time Olympic medallist Ato Boldon are among those who have joined the efforts to bring aid and relief to Jamaica after the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28. The Category 5 storm caused widespread devastation across the island with winds in excess of 185 mph, leaving many communities unrecognisable. So far, the death toll in Jamaica has crossed 30, while Haiti's death toll has climbed past 40 since Melissa's passage in that country.

On November 4, a social media post from the TTFA encouraged people to chip in with its donation drive, which will run from November 7-12. Additionally, the relief effort will be extended to the Trinidad and Tobago men's football team's upcoming Fifa 2026 World Cup qualifying matches at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo versus Jamaica and Bermuda on November 13 and 18, respectively.

The public has been asked to donate non-perishable food items, water, canned goods and clothing, with the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the TTFA's head office at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva and Hearty Foods in Arima listed as designated drop-off locations. A hotline number (226-1010) has also been provided for members of the public seeking further information on the relief drive.

"Together, we can," the TTFA's social media post read. "The TTFA stands with our Caribbean family – joining hands to support Jamaica through the Hurricane Melissa relief drive."

BOLDON, PILOT FLYING SUPPLIES TO J'CA

On November 1, via his social media pages, Boldon announced a plan to send relief to Jamaica in tandem with Jamaican sprinter Briana Williams and pilot Barrington Irving.

"A group, including myself and Briana Nichole Williams, led by aviation legend Barrington Irving, will fly from South Florida to Jamaica with a Boeing 737 aircraft full of relief supplies to help the many people affected by Hurricane Melissa's devastation," Boldon's post read. "Now, it's our job to collect items to completely fill the cargo aircraft."

Dubbed the "mission of hope," the relief exercise will be carried out on November 10 and 11, with the destination points being Kingston and Montego Bay in Jamaica. Over the two trips, over 100,000 pounds of critical supplies are set to be "directly placed into the hands of local organisations and communities in need."

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer a few days ago, Boldon said he was encouraged by the outpouring of support and the desire to help Jamaica in their time of need.

"We did this on a much smaller scale when the Bahamas was hit (in 2019)," Boldon told the Observer. "I thought it was one of the most memorable days of my life...this time there is a great need, and if everyone helps, it makes it easier.

"I'm encouraged by what I see on social media so far regarding getting Jamaica back on track. So we're going to do our part here in South Florida and (we) encourage everyone to help in any way they can."