…Raised J$15 million, which is almost 50% of target

Durrant Pate/Contributor

The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) has missed the J$33-million target set for its inaugural Yuletide Telethon, aimed at mobilising donations to assist well-needed social projects.

However, during the three days of the telethon from December 16-18, 2022, the JSE raised J$15 million, which is almost 50 per cent of the J$33-million target for its three current projects focusing on mental health and suicide prevention, improving conflict resolution skills for students in schools and assisting with music entrepreneurship.

Donations came from across Jamaica and the Diaspora.

Speaking after the telethon, JSE Managing Director Dr Marlene Street Forrest was heartened by the response.

“Although we have not met our target, we are encouraged that the spirit of giving is alive and well among Jamaicans. We are motivated that persons are willing to donate during this difficult period; a testament to the fact that we care about our country and want the best for those who are in distressed circumstances,” Street Forrest said.

Donations can still be made

While the telethon has closed, Street Forrest commented that ”the doors are still open for donations to continue over the Yuletide season and beyond”. 

Professor Neville Ying, chairman of the Jamaica Social Stock Exchange (JSSE), acknowledged that a lot of work is needed to help fix Jamaica’s social problems, namely crime and violence, unemployment and suicidal challenges, especially because of the COVID-19 pandemic, where persons felt isolated.  

Ying argued that the steps to fixing these problems are:

1.    Awareness of the problem

2.    Intervention policies

3.    Making funding available

4.    Monitoring and

5.    Providing feedback

According to Ying, “the JSSE is ideally placed to manage all five of these mechanisms and we are deeply committed to the cause because this is our home, Jamaica land we love. We are still calling on organisations and individuals to continue to make their contributions”.

Said Ying: “We need to meet these targets to be able to properly intervene. As it has been said, ‘it takes cash to care’ so whatever the amounts, we are happy to receive.”

The JSE has thanked all participants, institutions and individuals who donated to the causes and extended its gratitude to all organisers and personnel, who worked behind the scenes of the telethon and the media houses, which carried the telethon message; namely, Bridge 99 FM, CVM Television, Gospel JA FM, KLAS Sports Radio, Love 101 FM and NCU FM.