South Florida’s Jamaican diaspora continues to mobilize in a big way for Hurricane Melissa relief, with efforts ranging from star-powered concerts to heartfelt community performances.
On Saturday, December 6, some of reggae and gospel’s biggest names took the stage at The Faith Center in Sunrise for the One Love Jamaica Rebuild Initiative, a benefit concert supporting families across western Jamaica still recovering from the late-October storm. Grammy-nominated reggae gospel artist Papa San headlined the event, joined by Marion Hall, Kevin Downswell, Carlene Davis, and a lineup of local and international performers.
The initiative — organized by Jamaica’s Consul General to the Southern U.S., Oliver Mair, in partnership with Bishop Henry Fernandez and the Dare to Care Organization — aims to rebuild homes, restore access to clean water, provide medical and food supplies, and repair damaged infrastructure.
After the show, Consul General Mair announced that the night raised over US$120,000 for Hurricane Melissa relief. “Thank you to everyone who came and donated,” he wrote on Instagram.
Community voices adding power to the cause
While big stages are drawing major donations, quieter efforts across South Florida are also helping keep Jamaica’s recovery in focus.
On Sunday, December 7, the South Florida Caribbean Chorale performed Jamaican Christmas classics at Plantation United Methodist Church — a free holiday concert with a purpose. As the group sang familiar refrains like “all over Jamaica everybody Jesus born,” many in the audience said they came because they want to see their homeland rebuilt.
“This is about supporting home,” one attendee said. “We’re far away, but we still feel everything happening in Jamaica.”
The chorale, founded and directed by Steve Higgins, has now hosted four benefit concerts since Hurricane Melissa tore through western Jamaica, destroying homes and disrupting livelihoods. The previous show raised more than $25,000, and Higgins said they moved quickly to keep the momentum going.
“Two days after the hurricane, we were ready with flyers and started to spread the message — we have to start raising funds for Jamaica,” Higgins said.
Donations have ranged from essential goods to financial contributions. Food For The Poor has partnered with the chorale on the series, supporting logistics and collecting relief funds. The nonprofit promoted the Plantation concert as a “Tribute to Jamaica,” urging attendees to “bring your giving spirit.”
Organizers say there’s more to come: the chorale has been invited to perform in Weston, with additional concerts planned for early 2026.
With Christmas approaching, South Florida Jamaicans say the emotional weight of watching the devastation from afar is heavy — but the response from the diaspora has been steady. But with more events already in the works, South Florida’s support for Jamaica shows no signs of slowing.
