Pensioners Benefit From Thoughtfulness of Adventists

Story and Photo - Phillip E. L. Castell(EJC)
Published | May 2, 2013

 Hundreds of pensioners who use the Western District Post Office (WDPO) will benefit from the gift of thirty chairs, two fans, an igloo and a numbering system, which was donated by Community Services members of the Washington Gardens SDA Church on April 25, 2013.

 The gift was initiated by Mrs. Ionie Ramsay-Nelson, a member of the Washington Gardens SDA Church who herself is a pensioner. "Mrs. Ramsey Nelson saw a need and acted upon it," said Sophia Simpson, Post Master WDPO. "Today we received thirty chairs and two well needed fans and an igloo. Mrs. Ramsay-Nelson uses this post office and every time that she comes here, it breaks her heart to see most of the pensioners standing because we do not have enough chairs," Simpson said.

Interestingly, it was Ramsay-Nelson who approached Sophia Simpson to find out what she could do to help . "She asked what she could do to alleviate the pensioners plight and we said we needed chairs," said the grateful WDPO Post Master, Sophia Simpson. "With the tight economic problem that the country is experiencing at the moment, the government needed the help."

Mrs. Ionie Ramsay-Nelson confirmed that the items were provided through the assistance of friends and some sponsors in the church. The motivating factor for the gift however came from what she observed on a monthly basis.

"I collect my pension at this post office and in coming here, I notice that the lines were very long and that a number of the persons who would be in the lines are persons who appear not to be as strong as I am," said the retired Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Inspector of Police.

"As a result of that, I discussed the situation with the Community Services Team of the Washington Gardens SDA Church," Mrs. Nelson Said. "We are so happy that as a church we could have reached out to the community in the way we did," said Dr. Meric Walker, pastor of the Church. "As we behold the ministry of Jesus Christ we see that Jesus spent most of his ministry on earth caring for others."

Gift packages and fruit plates were served to over 150 pensioners who were present at the hand over ceremony by Community Services members of the Washington Gardens SDA Church .
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