LIME gives $2m in wake of Martha's House fire
Published: Wednesday | March 25, 2009
Errol Miller (left), vice-president, corporate communications at LIME, makes a financial contribution to Father Gregory Ramkissoon (right) of the Mustard Seed Communities in response to the recent fire at Martha's House on North Street, Kingston. Looking on are LIME team members Camille Taylor (second left) and Donna Reynolds (second right, partly hidden) and Ronnie Thwaites, member of parliament. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
A corporate organisation has joined the effort to assist Martha's House, a Mustard Seed Communities home on North Street, putting the facility one step closer towards rebuilding.
The building was badly destroyed by fire on the night of March 16.
LIME, on Monday, donated $2 million to the rebuilding of the house that was home for 30 children.
Corporate communications vice-president at LIME, Errol Miller, said the members of the organisation were delighted to be able to contribute to restoring the lives of the toddlers.
"It is my pleasure to hand over this cheque and, especially after seeing the devastation, I don't think we could have done a better thing," Miller said.
He pledged further help from the organisation towards the revamping of the building.
"The employees are busy collecting and will be making a donation soon, so we are not just stopping with the cheque, we are really touched by this and we are going to help the children restore their normal lives," he declared.
The second-storey level of the hostel was burnt. The estimated figure for renovation is $15 million. So far, between RBA and United Way, Mustard Seed has accumulated $360,000.
Gratitude to respondents
Father Gregory Ramkissoon, founder and executive director of the Mustard Seed Communities, extended gratitude to the corporate organisation for its quick response.
"I want to thank you on behalf of the children and the entire community at Martha's House for stepping on board to assist to restore the building," Ramkissoon said. "I must say that it will affect persons lives in the inner-city communities positively, whether directly or indirectly, so we are very thankful for your donation."
Meanwhile, Central Kingston Member of Parliament Ronald Thwaites said LIME was part of a miracle.
"The work of Mustard Seed is self-miraculous in a society that is so often less than caring. The fire has devastated the physical apparatus but the other part of the miracle is that all the children were saved.
He further stated that he was elated that the organisation was sharing in the miracle now that the rebuilding is starting.
"It's a wonderful encouragement, it's a wonderful affirmation of life and of goodness and we thank you," he said.
