Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

It was Pat Ramsey's intervention which spurred the NCB Foundation to get involved with the Mustard Seed Communities.

And so, my dears, for all the supposed instability and storm clouds brewing on the horizon, Kingston is still the hottest spot south of Miami, and remains the undisputed party capital of the Caribbean.

Jamaica, the hottest destination, this side of Europe, and then some, as when we party, we party hearty!

Well, all party and no care for others would make Jack one very dull boy, and if anything, the party scene here in Kingston and across Jamaica is most certainly, not dull!

So, just when some were thinking, that the people were no longer their brothers' keepers in the wake of Tropical Storm Gustav, as there was seemingly no outpouring of support for those affected by it, word is that plans are afoot to help those affected.

Ramsey's email

Well, my dears, following the storm's passage and the news that three Mustard Seed Communities' children's homes were destroyed, the oh-so gracious Pat Ramsey got in touch with the esteemed womenfolk of the Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) to bring the plight of the affected children to their attention.

Luvs, talk about timely intervention. Dears, this was it!

Ramsey's intervention, my dears, spurred the NCB Foundation to get involved, and as good corporate citizens, has guaranteed to match funds raised by the WLI, dollar-for-dollar, to help in relocating and assisting with the immediate needs of the affected.

My dears, included is the e-letter that Ramsey sent to the members of the WLI:

My dear sisters

I am afraid I have some sad news to share with you, which resulted from the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav. I just got in touch with Father Gregory to find out whether Mustard Seed had suffered any damage from the storm, only to find out that three of the homes were washed away and three of our dear children died.

For them to lose their home is devastating enough, and add to that the loss of three others like themselves, my soul weeps when I think of these precious gems having to experience such tragedy.

Our children need our help and I implore us all to do all we can to provide some much-needed support during the difficult time.

They are desperately in need of the following items. I am making a collection and any assistance you can give with these or in any other way will be more than welcome.

- Pat

Lyn's response

Well dears, the appeal prompted social grand dame and businesswoman Thalia Lyn of the NCB Foundation to respond. See her response:

Hi ladies

Just to let you all know that Pat's urgent and passionate appeal prompted us at NCB Foundation to agree to match dollar for dollar, to a maximum of one million, your donations to MSC.

Donations may be lodged to MSC's a/c 351 0044 Knutsford Blvd or any NCB branch. Pls indicate your name/company and that it's part of NCB Foundation's matching grant.

Thank you all so much as I'm also on the MSC Board and the situation really is dire. Warm regards.

- Thalia Lyn

Luvs, there it is, our opportunity to chip in.

Fund-raising do

And, luvs, it does not stop there as word is that premier socialite, Jennifer Lim, has scheduled a fund-raising do at her swanky St Andrew home, for October, at a US$1,000 per person, with every dime from the occasion going to the victims of Tropical Storm Gustav.

Dears, this promises to be a gala event and then some, so wait for it, as this is a very noble cause! Luvs, we are our brothers' keepers, so as we party on, let us extend the hand of charity to those affected, in every way we can.

That election

Then, my daahlings, we are living in some very interesting times, and how!

Dovecakes, suffice it to say, that the election that is slated for tomorrow is not the election some pundits, and some in the political classes, thought the nation would be talking about at this juncture.

Alas, as they say, a week in politics is a very long time. And so it is, my dears! So it is!

Birthday wishes

Birthday wishes to the dashing David Manley.

And as the age of Virgo roars to a close, we say birthday wishes to the dashing David Manley, who celebrates his birthday tomorrow.

Also celebrating tomorrow is the lovely Safia Cooper, marketing dynamo of brewing giant, Red Stripe, and daughter of Pulse Founder Kingsley Cooper.

Culinary arbiter Mario Machado celebrates on Sunday.

Media darling R. Christene King closes out the season as she celebrates on Monday. But the partying begins later this evening at her favourite Friday hang-out, and will continue through the weekend and into Monday!

Belated wishes to the elegant Ena Jackson Wray of Mandeville, who celebrated on the 12th.

And it's all about Negril, this weekend for the oh-soo-very-gorgeous Fenella Kennedy-Holland, who celebrated her birthday yesterday, as she and hubby, David, are making it a Negril getaway and nothing but!

Champagne wishes all around, with beluga treats!

Left: Birthday girl Safia Cooper ... Right: ... and birthday boy Mario Machado

Social grand dame and businesswoman, Thalia Lyn, of the NCB Foundation, responded to the appeal. - File photos