Montreal’s Jamaican community rallies to help hurricane victims back home

Montreal’s Jamaican community is rallying to collect money and supplies for the victims of Hurricane Melissa.

The powerful Category 5 storm made landfall in Jamaica on Oct. 28, wreaking havoc across the island. The southwest coast was especially hard hit, and roughly half the island remains without power. Crews are still clearing roads to reach communities cut off by landslides and flooding.

“The impact is way more than we think, and it’s definitely going to be a big logistical movement to rebuild,” said Mark Henry, president of the Jamaica Association of Montreal (JAM).

With residents across the southwestern parish of St. Elizabeth scrambling to find food and clean drinking water, JAM is leading local efforts to get much-needed aid into the country.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, JAM will host a Hurricane Relief Open Mic Night at its headquarters at 4065 Jean-Talon West. Drop-offs will be accepted starting at 4 p.m., with entertainment beginning at 8 p.m.

In addition to monetary donations, JAM is collecting non-perishable food, hygiene items, gently used or new clothing, and medical supplies.