Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation – Shaggy Foundation
10 years ago, Shaggy was introduced to the Bustamante Hospital for Children whilst visiting a friend’s son who had been admitted there. He was so moved by what he saw, that he vowed to do whatever he could to make things better there for Jamaica’s children. This visit made Shaggy aware of the obstacles children and hospital staff faced with receiving and providing medical care in Jamaica and the region, it being the only full service children’s hospital in the English speaking Caribbean, he resolved that something had to be done in order to improve the conditions there. Shaggy might have surpassed the US$2,000,000 needed by the hospital in 2001 when he first became aware of the hospital’s need in cash and and but continues to improve conditions at the hospital for Jamaica’s children and around the region.
Between the years 2001 – 2008 Shaggy quietly made personal donations of medical equipment, which the hospital desperately needed but continued to raise millions through his benefit concert as follows-:
2001 – two (2) ventilators
2002 – Electroencephalogram (EEG) Machine
2003 – Table Top Sterilizing Machine
2005 – Funded the Upgrade of the Medical Oxygen System
2006 – Funded the Beautification of the Administration Block
2008 – Collaborated with Scotia Bank Jamaica to create a park and recreation area
2009 – US$300,000 proceeds from the Shaggy and Friends Foundation
2010 – US$350,000 proceeds from the Shaggy and Friends Foundation
2012 – US$370,000 proceeds from the Shaggy and Friends Foundation
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Shaggy donate another J$70m to his charity |
2013 – J$70,000 proceeds from the Shaggy and Friends Foundation
In addition, The Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation has covered the costs for an overall audit on all medical equipment (both in and out of use), donated two (2) fully equipped dental chairs for the hospital’s Dental unit and 378 pieces of medical equipment.
Cherine Anderson Reach One Child – (ROC) Foundation
The ROC was established in 2004 by singer/actress Cherine Anderson and Patrick Lindsay, to recognize and support 6th grade students from primary and all-age schools who demonstrate their commitment to excellence in academics, service and the Arts and have a financial need. Over the past two (2) year the ROC (Reach One Child) foundation have has assisted 35 students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic and athletic excellence, leadership as well as contribution to school and community more
Aidonia – One Voice Foundation and The Sheldon Lawrence Scholarship Programme
Though early days yet, Dancehall artiste Aidonia made 2014 the year to launch his own
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Aidonia mentoring students at MPP |
charity and make a positive contribution within the Jamaican society. The artiste might not have been aware in 2012 that his encounter with the disabled would have an adverse effect on him, having taken part in charity efforts at the John Golding Rehabilitation Centre in Kingston. Aidonia shared then with the STAR, “I just felt the need to give a helping hand to the disabled kids and see how they went through a regular day being a wheelchair. But while I was there I met one of my friends who I knew for a while that had slipped on a ball and hit his head and was now paralyzed from head to toe.”
The One Voice Foundation and Sheldon Lawrence Scholarship Programme involves assisting students with educational challenges that are transitioning into high school. Aidonia donated J$250,000 to five stundents at the Maxfield Park Primary school in Kingston
Mr Vegas Foundation – Euphoria Charity Concert and Food Drive
The foundation proudly announced its J$250,000 collection in non perishable items for
the children at the Mustard Seed Communities in Jamaica that cares for children and adults with disability, HIV/AIDS, pregnant teenagers and impoverish families. Mr Vegas launched his foundation with the staging of the first annual Euphoria Charity Concert December 14, 2014.
Mr Vegas felt the need to assist the Mustard Seed Community in Jamaica after visiting the institution and observe the needs of the children housed there. At the launch of his Euphoria Charity Concert he shared his sentiments and reason for stepping up to the task, “we went and visited Mustard Seed and I was touched by the children. It touched my heart so much I just felt the need to do more and more. This year I took it up on myself and decided to do it big, so I decided to put together a collection of international acts.”
Konshens – Adopt-A-Cause Charity Foundation
Not much information is recorded about this foundation but we know Konshens has a thriving foundation as earlier this year, he shared a photo collecting a cheque in the amount of J$500, 000 from telecommunications giant LIME, after being signed to the company as Brand Ambassador. LIME announced it would also adopt the Konshens Adopt-A-Cause Charity Foundation.
Busy Signal – Busy 20/20 Helping Hands Foundation Limited
Busy 20/20 HHFL was launched April 2, 2015 with focus on the St. Anns Bay Hospital. The foundations’ first undertaking is to raise funds to purchase a X-Ray/CAT Scan equipment at an estimated J$12 million. Reanno “Busy Signal” Gordon is the newest addition to the growing list of artistes in Jamaica who have cited the need of fellow Jamaicans and enforce the use of their name/brand to increase awareness and raise funds that will assist in meeting some of those needs. Persons who wish to contribute to Busy 20/20 HHFL can do so by making contributions to Account #0270509320, Sagicor Bank, Ocho Rios branch, Jamaica.
Lady Saw Foundation – Assisting The Less Fortunate
The Lady Saw Foundation is a private foundation, personally financed by high income earners. The idea to launch her own personal charity came about while Lady Saw herself was in attendance at a Women’s Conference in Montego Bay more The first beneficiary of the foundation is a cancer patient who made public her need for assistance to meet the cost of surgery. Ms Dawn Whitter received assistance via the Lady Saw Foundation and went to surgery September 14, 2014.
Richie Spice – Contributes to Food For The Poor
Reggae artiste Richie Spice has committed to donating a portion of his local and international performance fee to Food For the Poor more
Many artistes in Jamaica give daily to people in need. They help families with medical expenses, assist with back to school and other expenses that are too many to list. However, we do not have record of an established charity as in the case of those listed above to verify that information.
This list will be updated if and/or whenever such information becomes available.
By: Sophia McKay
A #NIPnews production
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