Essex County farmer raising money to help his Jamaican ‘work family’

An Essex County farmer is working to raise money, in support of nine Jamaican migrant workers on his farm.

Brad Raymont of Raymont’s Berries wants to send as much money as possible to the nine migrant employees of his Cottam farm amid Hurricane Melissa.

Raymont said some of his workers have come to Canada to work with him for more than a decade.

“They are work family. They live on the farm with us. We see them every day, day in and day out. They come in April. They. They’re here till October,” Raymont said Thursday.

He’s collecting donations at his Farm Market store on County Road 14 until Nov. 4, when the store closes for the season.

After that, they’ll still collect via e-transfer to be able to do as much good as possible.

“One of our guys, Andre, his house is flooded. He’s lost his roof,” said Raymont.

“Anything that we can do to help them, is greatly appreciated.”

On the flip side, Raymont said two of his nine workers are now stuck in Canada, waiting to get a flight home and trying to reach their families in Jamaica.

“I’ve had to tell them twice that flights have been canceled,” Raymont said.

“They want to be home with their families.”

Last year, Raymont and his family travelled to Jamaica to visit his workers families.

It left such an impression on them they are deeply upset to see the devastation left by Hurricane Melissa.

“We got to know some of their lives, some of their kids. So, it is important to help out whatever we can,” Raymont said.

After less than 12 hours, they have already collected $4,700 in donations from customers, and he and his wife plan to kick in money of their own so each family gets some help from Raymont’s Berries.