Kingston – Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, has donated JCA$31.5 million to the Andrew Holness-led administration to be used in all 63 constituencies.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who made the announcement in Parliament on Tuesday, said the funds are a direct donation to the Jamaican people.
In a news release late Tuesday, Sandals Resorts said Stewart will donate JCA$500 000 to each of the constituencies and this was done consultation with Holness and Leader of the Opposition Dr Peter Phillips.
Holness said that each member of parliament will be responsible for the preparation and distribution of the care packages to those in need within all constituencies.
Commenting on this latest act of support, Stewart said he feels it is both his personal and corporate duty to provide the assistance during these unprecedented and extremely difficult times.
“Not only am I a proud Jamaican, born and raised in St Ann, I raised my family in Jamaica and the Sandals brand was born right here in Jamaica. The country is the heart and soul of our organisation, with the majority of our team members, approximately 9 000 of them, residing in Jamaican communities. It’s a responsibility my family and I do not take lightly, and this is just one step to do whatever possible to assist them and the most vulnerable in our communities during this time,” said Stewart.
Meanwhile, the prime minister also announced that insurance giant, Guardian Life, has proposed to make available a facility for law enforcement officers who, in the event of illness, will be offered some level of care. (CMC)
