Toni Harvey | NCU Media Group
For 15 years, the NCU Media Group has acted as a beacon, spreading hope, education, faith, and positive community influence. But this year, instead of celebrating inside studio walls or a sanctuary, the group decided to honor its milestone by reaching out to those who needed light the most.
After Hurricane Melissa, the Western part of the island was left battered—homes damaged, families displaced, and many still without electricity. When deciding how to mark this important anniversary, the decision was clear: turn celebration into service. And so, on Sunday, November 23, 2025, the team embarked on its 15th Anniversary Outreach Initiative, “Sharing the Light: Giving Light, Giving Hope.” The destination was the Mount Airy community in Westmoreland, where the team arrived with arms full and hearts ready to serve.
“We wanted to impact smaller communities because we know that sometimes the deep rural areas get overlooked, but we wanted to ensure they were reached,” said Interim General Manager Fabia Phillips-Lawrence, explaining the reason behind the site selected.
She continued, “This outreach was a blessing. We saw the hope it brought to the people in the community we impacted.”
She added, “It was important for us not just to deliver care packages but bring hope and lift up their spirits. Despite the loss, the community members were facing, it was a beautiful day.”
Throughout the mission, the team distributed food packages containing personal care essentials and other food items, most of which went to senior citizens. This was supplemented by additional care packages from the Cedar Grove District of Churches, which were also on site.
A pop-up medical clinic offered health assessments thanks to the compassionate service of NCU’s Medical Doctor, Morton Frankson, and a volunteer registered nurse from the Manchester Regional Hospital.
The spiritual needs of the community were also nourished as 30 Bibles were placed into the hands of residents seeking comfort and strength.
Households also received emergency relief supplies, including flashlights and batteries, tarpaulins, and both bottled and potable water. Children were uplifted with gift packages containing reading and coloring books, crayons, snacks, and a fun play session while the clinic operated. The day also included two prayer and worship sessions, led by Sis. Judith Forbes, with voices of praise rising where discouragement once settled.
The team also visited a woman whose home had been destroyed by the hurricane. With the Cedar Grove SDA District actively rebuilding her home, NCU Media Group supported with Bibles and drinking water, reinforcing that rebuilding takes shared hands and shared hearts.
Programmes Coordinator Shanessa Hall celebrated the power of collaboration on display:
“More than supplies, what people needed most was hope. There was a famine of it. They needed reassurance that together, we would emerge stronger in every way.”
Team member Kaedene Powell reflected on the joy of serving:
“It was a blessing to be a part of something like this, and it makes me realize that I can do a lot to help brighten someone’s day, no matter how dread the circumstances may seem.”
That heartfelt realization was shared by many; service changes lives on both sides.
Generosity powered the journey, with support from Isratech Jamaica Limited, IADPA Bookstore, Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Carlene Barrett, author of Family Time on the Islands, Cedar Grove District of Churches, a committed listener donor, and the dedicated employees of NCU Media Group.
As the sun set on Mount Airy, the team left with full hearts, uplifted by stories of unbreakable resilience and lives shining brighter with renewed hope.
Yet even as the outreach came to an end, one truth could not be ignored: the need continues.
And the mission continues.
Lawrence extended the invitation for ongoing support, “For those who did not get to contribute this time around, there is still time. We will be planning another visit to another community.”
Through God’s power and the compassion of His people, darkness is being replaced with light, one family, one prayer, one gift of hope at a time.
