Ten persons from Kitson Town, St Catherine, have been specially honoured for their years of contributions to community work, healthcare, skills training, institution establishments, philanthropy, and security.

At a recent ceremony, held at the Kitson Town Resource Centre, eight individuals received the Kitson Town Builders Awards, among the list were:103 years-old James Taylor, retired public health nurse, Una Woodfine, Fitz-Alber Brown, Robern Brown, Elvylena Ellis, Reverend Joan Fennell, Estrianna Laing Harrison, and Steve Parker.

Inspector Wayne Constantine, was given the ‘Chairman’s Appreciation’ award for his community policing efforts, while Jermaine Hurst, who through his heroic act prevented a recent attempted suicide along the Portmore Causeway, was also presented with the distinction.

Held under the theme “Rekindling the Past for a Great Future”, at the Kitson Town Resource Centre, Custos of St. Catherine, Icylin M. Golding, who represented Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen, urged the community to assist youth with empowerment and to emulate the honourees as peacemakers.

“The significant achievements of our heroes in this community, whose dedication to community service has ignited a spark of hope and progress in our lives, and one of the sparks is the Kitson Town Civic Committee,” she said.

Arguing that the theme served as a reminder that the legacy of the past can “certainly inspire us” to create a brighter future, the Custos told her audience that the eight “exceptional individuals” who have made it their mission to do what is necessary, as “selfless community stalwarts.

“Dedicating their time, energy, and resources for the betterment of Kitson Town, that they love so much. Their dedication to making a difference is truly remarkable-if our awardees did not know how solve conflict peacefully, we would not be here today, they did it in their own way, because they were purpose-driven,” the Custos stated.

Chairman and founder of the group, Garfield Angus, said the organisation was formed to recognise persons, and institutions that have contributed to making the community great, and despite everything, the area has excelled in many ways, through community actions, and “we must be thankful to those who gave of themselves to make us better.

“We intend to continue to recognise persons who have positively touched our community, and this will be done every two years. Try and find a way to support our efforts. If you try, you will discover that there are many ways in which you can contribute to building your community, and to recognise deserving community builders,” the chairman told his audience.

James Taylor while noting that he was happy to be remembered, called on the youth of the community to stay away from crime and seek personal development. “Stop with the drugs, stop needing dumplings in your hands, put down the gun. And the girls them believe that they get whey. Stop giving yourself lightly and commonly, because when yuh get di baby, man gone left you alone. Respect yourself,” he said.

Endorsements of the event came from educator, Marjorie Rose, Principal of the Watermount Primary School, Karlene Thomas Laing, and Member of the group, Shantell Campbell. Sponsors of the event included: Digicel Foundation, NADS Family Health Care, W.T. Feeds, M and M Loans, and several community members.

The Kitson Town Civic Committee was established in 2017. Since then, it has honoured two early childhood educators who gave almost 100 years of service to the community. In 2022, members joined to paint the Kitson Town Basic School, and prior to that, they raised computer tablets and other support for teachers at the institution.