CCFG Spreads Some ‘Love’ to the Mustard Seed’s Dare to Care Homes

 The Mustard Seed’s Dare to Care Homes welcomed a J$ 1.5 M boost from the Capital & Credit Financial Group (CCFG) on Thursday, August 19 at My Father’s House located on the premises of the Mustard Seed Communities Headquarters. The money was raised at the Group’s annual signature corporate event, ‘Pickney Love at Christmas’, which was held last December, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. 

CCFG Executives Curtis Martin and Michelle Wilson-Reynolds along with other specially invited guests handed over the cheque to The Very. Rev. Monsignor Ramkissoon, Mustard Seed’s Executive Director, Darcy Tulloch-Williams, Deputy Executive Director and Donna Reynolds, Administrator of Dare to Care .

In commenting on the long-standing relationship that the two organisations have shared, SVP, Group Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Michelle Wilson-Reynolds, notes that “the Mustard Seed Communities holds a very special place in the hearts and minds of all CCFG team members.” She also added that each year she receives overwhelming support from Corporate Jamaica, business associates, artistes and in general, kind-hearted donors who just want to contribute to the Cause.

This year the donation will benefit approximately seventy-five children living with HIV/AIDS at the three homes.  Mrs. Tulloch-Williams explained that the money will be used to purchase critical anti-retroviral medication and also cover the costs associated with providing proper physical and psychological care for the children.

The Very Rev. Monsignor Ramkissoon also expressed delight and gratitude for the much-needed donation. “We are very grateful that Capital & Credit has partnered with us through the years. Their continuous support and efforts have made such a tremendous impact on the lives of the children here and for that we cannot say ‘thank you’ enough,” he said.  Monsignor Ramkissoon also used the opportunity to encourage people to become mentors for the Children, suggesting that a ‘Big Brother/Big Sister’ mentorship programme would be an ideal way to prevent the children from feeling alienated from society.  He indicated that a few of the residents at the homes, who are now adolescents, need and opportunity to earn a living and make their contribution to society. 

Answering the Call

Capital & Credit has also responded to other needs of The Mustard Seed Communities.  In 2009, the Group and its staff members organised initiatives to raise money to assist with the relocation efforts of the children at Martha’s House – one of the Mustard Seed homes which was destroyed by fire in March 2009.  Additionally, the CCFG team also made a special monetary contribution coupled with a donation of boxes of food, clothing and personal effects to the children at Sophie’s Place, to assist with relief efforts after the shelter was badly damaged from the ravages of Hurricane Gustav in August 2008. 

Since the year 2002, CCFG has used the Pickney Love Concert as a platform to raise funds for the Dare to Care Homes. More than $8.7 million has been raised to date from concert proceeds. Every year, the Group plans and underwrites the total cost of staging this event and after the completion of an audit by Deloitte & Touche, which performs this task as its annual contribution, the proceeds are handed over to Dare to Care.

In closing, Mrs. Wilson-Reynolds took time-out to acknowledge those who continue to extend their support year-after-year, including Audley Gordon, Managing Partner at Deloitte & Touche and Frankie Campbell, representing the Fab 5 Organisation, who were both present at the handover.  She also added that, “initiatives such as the ‘Pickney Love Concert’ help CCFG to follow through on its commitment of being a caring and responsible corporate citizen and that the Group is always happy to make a meaningful contribution, whether small or large, to the lives of others whenever possible.”