Jamaica’s entertainment community demonstrated remarkable solidarity during the ‘I Love Jamaica’ Telethon and virtual concert, generating approximately $66 million Jamaican dollars in donations for victims of Hurricane Melissa. The event, orchestrated by the Ministry of Entertainment and Culture, extended into late hours with continuous performances and donation collection efforts.
A diverse array of Jamaica’s musical talents graced the virtual stage, including gospel artist Kevin Downswell, reggae sensation Christopher Martin, and acclaimed vocalist Tessanne Chin, who delivered a powerful rendition of ‘We Shall Rise Again.’ The lineup further featured memorable performances by Tanya Stephens, Nadine Sutherland, George Nooks, Alaine, and G-Whizz.
The telethon saw significant participation from government officials who temporarily abandoned their ministerial duties to support the cause. Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr. engaged in an on-air conversation with host Miss Kitty, while Education Minister Senator Dana Morris Dixon and Agriculture Minister Floyd Green participated in interviews and manned donation phones alongside former Parliament member Robert Miller.
Co-hosts Yendi Phillipps and Ian ‘Ity’ Ellis maintained energetic momentum throughout the event, encouraging viewers to contribute through multiple channels including pledge commitments, direct deposits, and text messaging services. The organizers emphasized that donation avenues remain open for continued public support despite the conclusion of the live broadcast.