Your Help Is Needed

To all peeps going to Negril in March -April.

Many ask about a little something they can do to help out the kids of the Negril area.
If you can, please bring the following items for St. Anthonys Soup Kitchen and the school program they run.

Kids Black Socks
Black Liquid Shoe Polish
Back Packs
Any School Supplies , pens, colour pencils , note books etc.
Tooth Brushes
Hair Baretts , beads or what ever.

You can drop off anything you bring to St. Anthonys Church ( Across fro The Coco La Palm) or the Soup Kitchen ( By the bus Park yard).
I'm sure Debbie from Moon Light Villas on the Westend Road would also be glad to take anything you have and will get them to the right place.
I will be at the Sea Star Inn on all Staurdays nights from March 31 -till May14 and would be happy to take anything you can give also.
Also you can Bring anything you have to the Boardie Bash and I'll get them off you too.


If you can think of anything else to add to this list , please feel free to add your input.

Respect always , Rasta Stan

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Originally Posted by Rasta Stan

To all peeps going to Negril in March -April.

Many ask about a little something they can do to help out the kids of the Negril area.
If you can, please bring the following items for St. Anthonys Soup Kitchen and the school program they run.

Kids Black Socks
Black Liquid Shoe Polish
Back Packs
Any School Supplies , pens, colour pencils , note books etc.
Tooth Brushes
Hair Baretts , beads or what ever.

You can drop off anything you bring to St. Anthonys Church ( Across fro The Coco La Palm) or the Soup Kitchen ( By the bus Park yard).
I'm sure Debbie from Moon Light Villas on the Westend Road would also be glad to take anything you have and will get them to the right place.
I will be at the Sea Star Inn on all Staurdays nights from March 31 -till May14 and would be happy to take anything you can give also.
Also you can Bring anything you have to the Boardie Bash and I'll get them off you too.


If you can think of anything else to add to this list , please feel free to add your input.

Respect always , Rasta Stan

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Hi Stan and Betty,

Just wanted to add to let people know that money donations can also help. Most of the items you listed are available in Jamaica and donating money to purchase them there not only helps out the kids but the Jamaican Economy too.

Keep up the great work. I know from personal experience that there is no greater reward in life than helping the next generation achieve.

Nuff Respect!

I will be in Negril in April. I will purchase some of the listed items in Sav.

You can buy all/most of those things in Negril, and support local businesses as well as the kids. There is a stationery/supplies shop next to ValueMaster and places all over with hair beads etc. and shoe polish at the grocery store or sometimes from a vendor on the street. Only thing that might not be easy to get to and purchase during your vacation time is black socks and backpacks.

If you give the organization a money donation, they can purchase in bulk, and stretch it even further. I don't know if they get a waiver on GCT but if they do, the purchasing power of your donation increases 16.5%.

Speaking of cash donations, I think this is a good place to post this again:

For the Americans

Contributions can be sent to Mary Gate of Heaven Church or to the Franciscan Friars in Cincinnati - 100% of your contribution go to the Jamaican mission. NOTE: US citizens get a tax deduction.

Mail a check or credit card information to Franciscan Friars, Friar Works / Ministry & Mission, 1615 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-6492 - indicate your intention for the gift.

Credit Card - Online: www.franciscan.org - select the Donate Tab and in the comment box indicate your intention.

Credit Card - Phone: 1-513-721-4700, ext. 3218.

For the Canadians

Make a check payable to Franciscan Friars, note the purpose of the gift, and send it to:

Franciscan Missionary Union
St. Michael's Retreat Centre
P.O. Box 220
Lumsden, Saskatchewan
S0G 3C0

Phone: 306-731-3316
Fax: 306-731-3807

The contact person is Fr. Michael Conaghan, ofm.

I am a dental hygienist and am coming March 20-27, I will try to gather some toothbrushes!

We bring stuff every trip....some things we take to a school or to father jim, and some things Janet likes to pass out to unexpecting locals....

Janet has a few sisters and they all get discounted things throughout the year, we stock up on valentine candy after it goes on clearance, and now i have 63 pounds of stuff to take...lol...not including the bag weight....basically one checked bag and half a carry on full of goodies....

we all know cash is king, but there is 0 chance of getting this amount of stuff in negril for the $$$ she spent on it...everything clearance, managers specials, donatied items, etc...25 cent for 4.00 bags of candy...

Stan, I will be there during easter....do u know if anything going on, egg, candy hunt, activites etc for the kids? Janet thinks father jim might have an event...

I've been picking stuff up for the schools and kids for a while now, have quite a bit. I just don't know when I will be able to get back to Negril.
:confused:

I would love to know as well if there is an Easter Event or activities for the children. Would love to help out and take our 8 month old as well. We will be bringing items down. Jump ropes seemed to be very popular last time. We find it to be quite fun to hand out to local kids when we see them.

If every Boardie, (including lurkers :rolleyes:) donated a few items each, it would truly make a difference to these children.

Let's all chip in and do this

I purchased white socks, then realized they needed black socks, so I exchanged them today. Will be dropping off 70 pairs of kids black tube socks on 3/20 or 3/21. Also got the kitchen towels they were wanting.

When I make a donation to the Franciscans through their website, what should I write to make sure it's directed to Jamaica?

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Originally Posted by Yesihunt2

When I make a donation to the Franciscans through their website, what should I write to make sure it's directed to Jamaica?

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let them know you want it to go to Negril, Jamaica Mary Gate of Heaven Roman Catholic Church..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jsteil

I purchased white socks, then realized they needed black socks, so I exchanged them today. Will be dropping off 70 pairs of kids black tube socks on 3/20 or 3/21. Also got the kitchen towels they were wanting.

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thank you so very much one thing we go through it a lot of socks..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jsteil

I purchased white socks, then realized they needed black socks, so I exchanged them today. Will be dropping off 70 pairs of kids black tube socks on 3/20 or 3/21. Also got the kitchen towels they were wanting.

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thank you so very much one thing we go through it a lot of socks..

thank you all for your generous donations. Could you please add to the list Black Belts...
Size 6 to 14 childrens
Size 28-34 youth
Thank you so much for helping it is so appreciated...

guess i will ask in a separate thread...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aaron Mindy

I would love to know as well if there is an Easter Event or activities for the children. Would love to help out and take our 8 month old as well. We will be bringing items down. Jump ropes seemed to be very popular last time. We find it to be quite fun to hand out to local kids when we see them.

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We will be there the end of April so will bring a few of the things menotined

We will be bringing what we can fit into our suitcases. Our dentist always gives us kids' toothbrushes and we also have a 24 count box of Colgate toothpaste to bring along.

As has been written above, money is the best thing that one can bring and give. It may seem a bit impersonal; but the care givers know what the kids need most and will be able to purchase these things as they are needed.

Volunteering at St. Anthony's for breakfast is a great way to see and meet the kids that are being helped by GKTS.

When donating for Get Kids To School, if going through the Franciscans, make sure that you specify that you want your gift to go to Negril-GKTS Program/Father Jim Bok.

BIG thanks for all of these wonderful posts! Rasta Stan, a special thank you for your assistance in helping spread the word about St. Anthony's Kitchen and their needs :)

Blessings!
St. Anthony's Kitchen

THIS BOARD AND ITS PEOPLE ROCK!!!~~~ YES I'm SHOUTING~~~ LOVE TO BETTY AND STAN DA MAN!!

Thanks for all the help people , it's needed.
I don't care how much or where you buy it from it will all help the kids and the people who work so hard to help them all.
Now i have to find some belts....lol
See ya on the beach most days or The Sea Star any Saturday, Canoe on Thursday , Drifters on Friday...lol you get the idea.
We won't be hard to find. Bless you all.

This time I am buying a dozen reading glasses that I can get for only $3 each. That's what I wear.

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Originally Posted by Fred Stripe

This time I am buying a dozen reading glasses that I can get for only $3 each. That's what I wear.

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A great idea Fred Stripe! So many in Jamaica NEED reading glasses and don't even know it! I've found them at the beauty supply store near Burger King, I believe I paid 600 JMD for a pair.

St. Anthony's Kitchen

I managed to get 72 youth toothbrushes, I will drop them off between Mar 21-26.

Thank you for this post Rasta stan. It's on my to do list. I'll be coming in on the 5th-12th. Maybe I'll get a chance to meet you at the seastar on sat. ( luciano is on my list to!) I'm excited. my first visit to JA.

Hey Guy Raudenbush, I look forward to seeing you in Negril. I hope you can make it to the Luciano show at the Sea Star on the 5th. Call them for the Free Shuttle and tell them your with my group for a seat.

First, a profound thanks to all of you who support Mary Gate of Heaven and the programs at St. Anthony's kitchen. It means a lot to us. More importantly it means a lot to the people we serve. Without you there is no St. Anthony's Kitchen or Get Kids to School Program. Thanks a million!

The only big Easter Event around here that I know is the arrival of the Eater Bunny after the 10:00 a.m. Easter Mass. He always brings bags of goodies for the kids. I don't know what other "events" might be going on at local hotels/resorts. No Egg Roll in the Community Centre parking lot!

You can indeed buy school supplies and other things here in Jamaica. You will not beat the deals you can get a the Dollar Store and such places. We do pay GCT--that's a 16.5% sales tax. Mary Gate of Heaven and St. Anthony's Kitchen dump a ton of money into the local economy. Buy things in Canada/USA o carry or buy it here...no problem mon!

The church is Mary Gate of Heaven, not St. Anthony's and is across from Coco La Palm. Drop stuff off at the church or the Kitchen.

If you send funds to our Franciscan headquarters (see directions above in Cincinnati (the best way to donate for Americans -- you get a tax deductible gift) just indicate the funds are for Fr. Jim in Jamaica or for St. Anthony's Kitchen or for Get Kids to School. I know the office there as I directed it for 17 years before coming here. 100% of your gift will be wired into our account absolutely.

Canadian donors, the address in this thread above and in past notices, has been changed as the Mission Office of the Franciscans in Western Canada has moved. Send donations (they are tax deductible too) to
Franciscan Missionary Union
Attn: Br. Carlos Ona, O.F.M.
1076 Joan Cres
Victoria, BC V8S 3L5
Canada

Rasta Stan, a big up! A guy was at the front gate Monday morning when I headed to the bank. You told him about us. He pressed a USD$100 bill in my hand for GKTS! Sweet! Going to the bank on Monday morning is generally a miserable experience. I went with a smile this week!

God bless each and everyone of you! --Fadder Jim

Great I will. I will def. be there I already called them and got two tickets.

Thanks Fadder Jim for the address update - I've saved it for our next contribution :)

Thank you all for offering help to Fadda Jim and the children of Negril. It melts my heart.
See you soon Fadda Jim , but not at church, don't want the roof to fall in...lol
We are packed to the limit and ready for our trip.
Look out for Rasta Stan the shoe shinning guy, I have plans to shine many shoes on this trip....lol

Still time to throw a little something in your bag for the kids folks, Bless you All.

If you are coming to the boardie bash we can collect anything you can bring. Respect to you All , for you help/

I'm coming to the Boardie Bash and will be happy to collect any goods that folks bring. We are already looking to the summer and are stocking up on school supplies. We will help outfit with uniforms, shoes, socks, underwear, backpacks and school supplies over 100 children. If you can help get that job done (supplies or money) I would be most grateful. As you can imagine it is quite an expense and we are totally dependent on the good will and generosity of others. And, by the way, we pump a lot of money into the local economy. No need to feel bad if you bring bargains from the US, Canada or elsewhere. Peace and all good! --Fadder Jim

Hi Fadder Jim!...........I will PM you again concerning the contact person at FFTP in order to ask for help with getting school supplies thru Customs............JK

Father Jim,
What sizes do you need most for shoes, socks and underwear? We will be able to carry 2 extra suitcases filled just for your kids. :-)

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Originally Posted by Eden

Father Jim,
What sizes do you need most for shoes, socks and underwear? We will be able to carry 2 extra suitcases filled just for your kids. :-)

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Good afternoon Eden,

There are many children that are in need of shoes, socks and underwear - ages infant right up to 16 years old. Socks and shoes need to be black or brown in color - underwear color doesn't matter :)

Give thanks for your interest in helping!
St. Anthony's Kitchen

I did a little shopping for school supplies, I got several boxes of pencils, colored pencils, school glue, individual boxes of crayons as well as some boxes of 64. also some colored chalk. we'll be staying at rooms on the beach, and I will def. see you on sat night. Not sure if I should lug all this stuff to the show. Maybe we can meet beforehand?

I am in the UK. I will happily send a cash donation, any idea the best way to do it? It won't be a lot because I can't afford it but I will send as much as I can, as often as I can.
How do I go about this please?
Thanks for your help

I have been looking into bringing some donation items this time to get more connected to the local community and to help out. I have also been looking at this tour http://jujutours.com/tours.php?tour=1
Has anyone been on it to say if it is a good way to see some sights and also give some donations at the same time? We were wanting to do some bicycling in Jamaica and I found that site.