Community News
Health, wellness, and a free trip to Jamaica?
BY MICHAEL THOMAS
Would you be interested in taking a Caribbean vacation without leaving Toronto? How about if you could experience the relaxing atmosphere, music, and performances of a Jamaican vacation minus the airfare? Imagine being able to connect to yourself and your family through yoga, and have the ability to energize yourself with sports and activities. Well, we would like to be the first to introduce to you, The Jamaica Summer Games taking place right here in Toronto at Ashbridge’s Bay on August 17th-18th, 2019.
The media launch for this event was held at The Real Jerk Jamaican restaurant located at 842 Gerrard Street East on July 23rd, 2019. Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was there to catch the scoop and talk with some of the people involved including the beautiful Mrs. Angella Bennett who is the Regional Director for the Jamaica Tourist Board. Bennett told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper “The Jamaica Tourist Board is a proud sponsor of this event, and not only will we bring a taste of Jamaica to this event, but we will focus on health and wellness too.”
“Jamaica has now become a very popular destination for health, wellness and sport tourism, and is very much a part of why we are the main sponsors for the summer event. We are also giving away a free stay to Jamaica courtesy of our airline partner West Jet Vacations and one of our hotel partners; we are encouraging everyone to come out and have a good time,” Bennett continued excitedly.
Toronto Caribbean Newspaper also got a chance to speak to the founder and co-chair of the event Mr. Karl Hale of the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation. Hale who was born in Falmouth Jamaica, and has played the Davis Cup for Jamaica for 10 years; he is currently the Tournament Director of the Rogers Cup Tennis Tournament in Toronto. While doing all of this he has maintained his tennis level and is ranked #1 in the world over the age of 40. Mr. Hale is an active family man who is involved in multiple philanthropic activities in the Jamaican community.
Hale told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper “We came up with the concept to help raise more money for Helping Hands Jamaica because: sports is something we know as an organization, we think there is a need for this, and also there is a huge potential for growth.” When asked what advice he has for the public in connection with Jamaica Summer Games Hale said, “One hundred per cent come to Ashbridge’s Bay with the whole family; there is something for everyone from health and wellness to great DJs playing great music, so come and enjoy the weekend with us.”
Know that by attending this event, it will not only be beneficial to you, but you will be actively helping out the community as well. All proceeds will go towards the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation 25th school build! For more information on everything the summer games has to offer visit https://jamaicasummergames.net/schedule.You can also visit www.helpinghandsjamaica.com to learn about all of the great work that is happening in Jamaica.