J. Wray & Nephew (JWN) demonstrated its commitment to community support and corporate social responsibility by participating in the Ribbiz Ocean reopening roadblock party on July 26. 

The event, which took place on Ocean Boulevard in downtown Kingston, marked the reopening of Ribbiz Ocean following severe damage caused by Hurricane Beryl.

The street party, which ran from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am, attracted numerous attendees who came together to support Ribbiz Ocean’s recovery efforts. All proceeds from bar sales at the event went directly to benefit Ribbiz staff members whose income and livelihoods were severely impacted during the closure of the business since the passage of the hurricane.

Brian ‘Ribbi’ Chung, co-director of Ribbiz was grateful for the support of its longstanding partner, J. Wray & Nephew Limited.

According to him, “Quite a bit of work has been done to get Ribbiz Ocean back up and running. The location sustained a lot of damage from the hurricane which we had to quickly address.”

“A significant sum has been invested in the location to get it ready to receive customers. We know how customers look forward to dining on the waterfront especially now being summer, lots of families spend time there and the onus fell on us, as owners of the Ribbiz brand to continue to deliver an exceptional experience for them,” he ended.

As a key partner and supporter of the local business community, JWN provided significant support for the fundraising event, including the provision of music via the company’s partnership with the immortal Stone Love and the entertainment vibes through Wray & Nephew white overproof rum. The company’s involvement highlighted its dedication to assisting partners during challenging times and fostering community resilience.

Channel and customer marketing director Leleika-Dee Barnes stated, “At J. Wray & Nephew, we believe in the power of community support, especially in times of adversity. The Ribbiz Ocean reopening roadblock party was more than just an event; it was a testament to the resilience of our local businesses and the strength of our community bonds. We were proud to stand alongside Ribbiz Ocean and contribute to the business and their staff recovery efforts.”

She continued, “Our community efforts will not end here as in the coming weeks we will be rolling out even more community relief initiatives to our community bartenders in St. Elizabeth.”

The event not only raised funds for affected staff but also served as a symbol of the community’s ability to come together and support one another in the face of natural disasters. JWN’s participation in the event aligned with its objectives of supporting partners, engaging with the community, and promoting goodwill.