Life
JAM | Nov 28, 2023

Gordon Town SDA church hosts health and community fair

Shemar-Leslie Louisy

Shemar-Leslie Louisy / Our Today

Reading Time: 2 minutes
Over four hundred food and care packages including books and clothing items were distributed to church and community members at the 2022 staging of the Annual Health and Community Fair hosted by the Gordon Town Seventh Day Adventist Church.

The Gordon Town Seventh Day Adventist Church, in collaboration with the Exodus Foundation, is gearing up for its 10th annual health and community fair at the Gordon Town SDA Church grounds.

Under the leadership of Brother Donovan McNee, community services director; and Sister Delmore Tyrell, health ministries director, this significant milestone event, set to take place on Sunday, December 3, starting at 8 a.m., is designed to bring essential services directly to the heart of the community.

A hallmark of the fair is the provision of free health services. Attendees can benefit from various health checks, including weight, body mass index, blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, and HIV tests. In addition to basic prescription and medical consultations, optional spiritual counselling will also be available.

The main focus of the event is the distribution of food packages to 400 families in need, containing staples such as rice and canned goods. A warm meal will be served at midday, and children will enjoy various activities, including a bounce-a-bout and ice cream.

Members of the Gordon Town Seventh Day Adventist Church prepare packages during a previous staging of its Health and Community Fair. 

Representatives from key national services, including the National Health Fund (NHF), Jamaica Drug for the Elderly Programme (JADEP), National Insurance Scheme (NIS), and Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), will be present to assist community members in signing up for Tax Registration Numbers (TRN) and other government health benefits.

Infusing a spiritual dimension into the fair, the Publishing Department of the conference will showcase Adventist books and literature. Clothing giveaways further underscore the community-focused ethos of the event.

The Gordon Town SDA Church, often described as a beacon in the community, plays a pivotal role in transforming lives through holistic ministries. Pastor Dane Ferguson, leading this impactful institution, underscores the church’s commitment to making a positive impact in the community.

Elder David Walker highlighted that the fair has been a flagship event on the church’s calendar for the past decade. He said, “We, as a church, have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure that some of the community’s needs are met by fostering healthcare initiatives, providing food and care items for the needy, and doing our best to help members and non-members manage better in these challenging economic times. Jesus’ special word is ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.”

Comments

What To Read Next

Life CARIB Jan 2, 2025

Reading Time: 5 minutesSo, you’ve made it through the chaos of the holidays, and now you’re ready to finally stick to your New Year’s resolutions. But wait—let’s be real here. How many times have you vowed to get fit, eat healthy, or become a morning person, only to have the enthusiasm fizzle out by February? If your New Year’s resolutions are gathering dust next to your unused gym membership card, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with some fun (and slightly ridiculous) strategies to actually keep those promises to yourself.