Kerisha Simpson, a bar operator from Old Folly Road, Discovery Bay in St Ann, loves children and she never gets tired of showing them her kindness.
This is why for the fifth straight year, Ms Simpson catered for and feted over sixty children of the Old Folly community at her annual back to school treat. The event was held at her spot called ‘Kerisha’s Place’ just west of Discovery bay town centre, along the North Coast Highway on Thursday afternoon, August 25.
The treat catered to children between the ages of two and sixteen years.
“I’m living in Old Folly and I like to give back to the kids, because I love them so much… I see it as a way of giving back to the community, as they have supported my bar in the area,” Ms Simpson, who is also known as ‘Muma’ told North Coast Times.
While Ms Simpson is the main organizer of the event, there are several individuals, business people and community members who sponsored and assisted the back to school treat.
These persons and establishments were: the bars of Denise Brown, Marcia McFarlane and Ricardo Dacres; Fitzroy Wholesale; Paul Brown; Philpott Mitchell, PNP caretaker candidate of the Dry Harbour division; Travis Anderson; Kirk ‘Fat Head’ Thompson, the chef and Touch International/Pang that provided the music.
“I also would like to big up Evelyn Walford, Nicola, Nadine, Stacey, Pang, Travis and Pepe, the taximan, who all assisted as well,” Ms Simpson said.
The afternoon began with devotion and prayer by Evelyn Walford. It was then all about the children as they were treated to snacks, hot meals that included, soup and rice and peas, served with chicken, dessert including ice-cream and back to school stationery, including hardcover note books, pencils, pens, rubbers, rulers and more.
The meals were prepared by Kirk Thompson and organizer, Kerisha Simpson.
Parents were not left out of the afternoon’s activities as they were treated as well. The children were very appreciative of the gesture as their faces glowed, while parents expressed their gratitude for the back to school treat.
“For next year, it will get bigger and better,” said an optimistic Ms Simpson, beaming with pride.
She said for next year she will be pushing towards greater involvement in the treat by parents in contributing some back to school items.
