Category: COVID-19

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Supreme Ventures has chosen its first set of winners in their new Vax and Win campaign, a week after celebrating their 20th anniversary.

Though details of the winners were not provided, the company said individuals were required to complete an online entry form that requires details about their recent vaccination. It said every week five lucky winners will be chosen to win prizes, including cash. However, individuals must be 18 years and over to participate.

Vax and Win, which was launched in June, is aimed at incentivising Jamaicans to vaccinate against the COVID-19 virus that has claimed the lives of millions worldwide. It seeks to boost state efforts to inoculate the population and spur the recovery process.

In a statement today, Supreme Ventures said: “The response to the campaign has been encouraging and we anticipate greater numbers of participation as the vaccine becomes increasingly available in the coming months.”

People wishing to enter can complete the online entry form at Vaxandwinja.com.

The company said the campaign is scheduled to run for six months.

Source: https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/SVL_draws_first_batch_of_Vax_Win_winners

SUPREME VENTURES Group (SVG) Executive Chairman Gary Peart led a team through the streets of Gregory Park, St Catherine, as part of COVID-19 relief efforts orchestrated by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) to support struggling communities through the economic downturn caused by the global pandemic.
SVG donated to the effort dubbed ‘PSOJ Cares Partnership’, which involves local corporations donating money to the PSOJ that would, with the assistance of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), deliver care packages of basic food items to vulnerable communities over several weeks.
The group participated in the first donation in Gregory Park since coming on board as a partner to show support to the residents, many of whom visit or maintain a livelihood from the operations at Caymanas Track that has been closed for two months as a result of the local spread of COVID-19.
With the pending June reopening of Caymanas Track and the resumption of racing, Peart says the outreach opportunity was perfectly aligned with the group’s vision.

RELIEF EFFORTS

“The closure of Caymanas Park to preserve public safety has taken a serious toll on the livelihood of several families in the surrounding areas who make their living either working at the track or with racing stakeholders or just selling goods and services on race days. We came on board because we saw where the PSOJ’s programme aligned with our desire to provide relief efforts in the Gregory Park area and other communities,” he said.
Peart says the team, which included Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited’s General Manager Lorna Gooden, wanted to personally show their support to the community and the PSOJ.
According to Gooden, several safety measures, which will ultimately be approved by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, will be put in place to allow for patrons to enjoy the sport when racing returns. “We will be ready for the resumption of racing, but at the same time, we do not want to erode the progress we’ve made as a nation in the containment of the coronavirus. All our sanitary conveniences will be ready to facilitate frequent handwashing and the approved number of patrons will be spaced out to allow for reasonable social distancing.”
The relief will be extended to Gregory Park and several other communities in the St Catherine area identified by the JCF as particularly vulnerable due to movement restrictions and reduced economic activity. The relief includes a bag of basic food items and will be distributed over the course of at least eight weeks.
Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20200529/supreme-ventures-psoj-team-assist-gregory-park-residents
Other Sources:
Loop Jamaica
https://www.loopjamaica.com/content/supreme-ventures-and-psoj-team-bring-relief-gregory-park

The Supreme Ventures Foundation (SVF) has created a special medical contingency fund for children in the care of the State to the tune of $1 million.
The fund will make medical disposables and medication available to children in State Care with pre-existing conditions who may fall ill during the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified persons with pre-existing medical conditions, especially those of the respiratory system, as vulnerable to complications if they contract the virus.
CEO of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Rosalee Gage-Grey says the agency, which has portfolio responsibility for wards of the State, has identified 500 children with special needs who are currently on a medication regimen.
SVF Director Heather Goldson says the donation will allow the CPFSA to quickly access supplies without going through red tape.
“This health crisis is unlike any we have ever seen before, and we have to pull together to get through it. This donation will allow the CPFSA to respond quickly if a COVID-19 case is discovered in any of the homes across the island. We have prearranged access to supplies so that once they are needed, the agency can quickly access them,” she stated.
“The Supreme Ventures Foundation is committed to supporting the programmes that support children in State care and our partners, the CPFSA, who tirelessly manage the programme. We are already in partnership with the agency, under our MoU with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, to upgrade the fire equipment in 30 homes around the country. However, our partnership expands beyond that programme. In times of crisis such as this we must do what we can to help,” she said.
Gage-Grey said the donation will go a far way in reducing the response time, the virus is found among any of the wards.
“We have taken several precautions in light of the COVID-19 spread; we’ve suspended visits to facilities and increased sanitisation efforts, but the nature of this virus is so volatile that we have to brace for the possibility of a sick child. This donation will allow us to respond quickly so that we can help that child get back on his feet,” she said.
Last week Supreme Ventures announced a $1-million donation towards the Government-funded PATH programme to directly feed children in vulnerable inner-city communities who would no longer benefit from the school feeding programme due to the closure of schools.
The donation will go towards the nutritional needs of thousands of students now at home, after Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared all schools closed the previous week.
Jamaica’s first case of Covid-19 was confirmed over a week and a half ago and the islandwide tally now stands at 19 cases. The pandemic has spread to over 200,000 persons and resulted in over 10,000 deaths globally.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/supreme-ventures-foundation-creates-fund-for-children-in-state-care_190277
Other Sources:
Loop Jamaica
https://www.loopjamaica.com/content/supreme-ventures-foundation-creates-1m-fund-assist-state-children

The Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) has announced a $1 million donation towards the Government’s PATH programme to specifically feed children in vulnerable inner-city communities in light of the presence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on the island.
Based on the recent school closure announcement made by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, thousands of students are now at home and will not receive the benefit of the national school-feeding programme.
The intention is to enable the PATH programme to continue the feeding programme at home in order to attend to the nutritional needs of the children.
Jamaica’s first case of COVID-19 was confirmed last week and the total number of confirmed cases now stands at 12 cases. The pandemic has spread to over 175,000 persons globally with over 6,000 deaths.
State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Alando Terrelonge said SVL’s donation is timely as the government is ensuring that the vulnerable members of the public are taken care of while attempting to contain the local spread of the virus.
“We understand the needs of our children on PATH and the importance of ensuring that they continue to receive nutritious meals at this time. In times of crisis, we must all be our brother’s keepers and I want to thank SVL for partnering with the ministry in the best interest of our children,” Terrelonge said.
The state minister went on to implore other corporate companies to assist.
“For true equality in education to be attained, then all our children irrespective of social background must have equal access not only to schools but also to food. I am imploring more corporate Jamaicans to assist us to help the most vulnerable amongst us, our children.”
Deputy CEO of Shared Services and Chief Marketing Officer for the Supreme Ventures Group, Heather Goldson said the company’s response is an extension of its involvement in the community.
“Supreme has done quite a bit of work with at-risk youth over the years and we are very sensitive to the needs of those who are exposed from the drastic scaling down of available goods and services as a result of COVID-19.  We wanted to make sure we jumped in and help the national effort and we decided that contributing to the efforts of maintaining a level of normalcy for these students who are among our most vulnerable would be the best response at this time,” she said.
The Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), which was started in 2001 by the Government of Jamaica, provides cash and bursary grants to the most needy and vulnerable in the society.
 
Source: http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/path-feeding-programme-gets-1-million-supreme-ventures
 
Other Sources:
The Star
http://jamaica-star.com/article/20200316/supreme-ventures-donates-1m-path-feeding-programme