Category: Press Release

75-year-old Portlander wins $10 million

Grand prize winners in the J Wray & Nephew Ltd’s $10 million ‘Q is the Key to Cash 4 Life’ competition, Howard Cover and Mark Brown, are men on a mission.

Both men entered the competition with others on their minds. For Mark Brown, while helping his sister with her baking, deep in his heart he yearned to provide critical assistance to his own children overseas. Howard Cover, at the same time, was hoping to win the prize so he could fund his grandchildren’s education.

When the 75-year-old Cover of Portland received a call informing him that he won a prize in the competition, he did not expect his winnings to be $10 million in cash.

Up to the hour when he met with a team from J Wray & Nephew in Port Antonio on January 30, he still did not believe he had won the grand prize. He thought it was a simple prize as he had won numerous phone credits during the 14 weeks of the competition.

However, when the cheque of $10 million was unveiled to him, he started to cry. It was the first time in his life that he was winning something so grand.

“I feel great. I am so excited I can hardly talk,” Cover said with teary eyes before reaching into his car for something to wipe his tears and for his dark glasses to cover his eyes.

“I read about the competition in the newspaper and I doubled up on my purchase of Qs and entered. I kept winning credit but I am now happy I won one of the grand prizes,” he said, before adding, “I am going to buy some property, invest some otherwise, mostly in farming and real estate. I also want to help my three grandchildren who are 16, 10 and eight years from my winnings. I would like for them to get a good education, so that is what I am aiming at.”

Cover said that he had been facing some financial challenges which the $10 million will eliminate from his life.

“I am very happy. They are so many things I can now achieve and overcome,” he said.

Both Cover and Brown entered their winning codes from Wray Rum Qs they purchased.

Like Cover, Brown a 46-year-old resident of St Catherine, wants to help others with the money he won.

According to Pietro Gramegna, Marketing Manager, J Wray & Nephew Limited, the winners of the competition are both deserving and exemplary examples of the brand’s proud, undiluted strength.

“Every day heroes are those who work hard day in and day out to take care of their loved ones. Consumers like Cover and Brown keep the Jamaican spirit going, and weare honoured for their brand of choice to be Wray & Nephew White Overproof spirit. They are embodiments of our key message Our Spirit, we are happy to assist in making their dreams now a reality,” Gramegna said.

The Q is the Key to Cash 4 Life competition, which began in October and lasted for 14 weeks, closed at the end of January. During that period, there were millions of dollars given away in prizes of cash and credit.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/75-year-old-Portlander-wins–10-million_88444

RJRGLEANER Employee Wins $10M In ‘Q Is The Key To Cash 4 Life’

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When Mark Brown, an employee of The RJRGleaner Communi-cations Group, bought Qs of Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum to assist his sister with adding flavour to her Christmas cakes, little did he know there was a blessing of $10 million in return for him.

Brown is now one of two grand prize winners in the recently concluded J. Wray & Nephew ‘Q is the Key to Cash 4 Life’ competition.

Brown saved every Q he bought to help his sister, and entered the codes via text as instructed for the competition, and on January 29 he was told of his life-changing win.

“I feel elated, excited, nervous, blessed and favoured. This is something I have been praying for – a financial blessing. I think God has actually blessed me today,” said Brown, who was just returning home from church when the team from J.Wray & Nephew Limited announced his victory to him.

“The only thing I can do is give God thanks and praise for it. This is my breakthrough. I have prayed for it and a lot of people have prayed for it to happen for me too, and I am just giving thanks for it,” added Brown, before calling his mother to tell her the good news.

HOW HE WILL SPEND IT

When asked how he plans to spend the money, the first thing he could think of doing were acts of kindness.

“I have some family members who I want to help and my children overseas. I can now put towards their college fund. Last month, I borrowed a major loan to take care of some things, but if I knew this was going to happen I wouldn’t have done that,” said Brown.

Howard Cover, a resident of Portland, is the other grand prize winner of the ‘Q is the Key to Cash 4 Life’ competition. Like Brown, he intends to use his winnings to give to those in need, especially his family members.

“I have three grandchildren whom I want to help with the money. I want to see to it that they get a good education. They are 16, 10 and eight. I am also going to buy some property with the money, invest some otherwise, mostly in farming, which is what I know about,” said Cover.

According to Pietro Gramegna, marketing manager, J. Wray & Nephew Limited, the company is elated that it could have enriched the lives of two deserving Jamaicans.

“We at J. Wray & Nephew Limited are always envisioning ways to enrich the lives of our consumers. With the ‘Q is the Key to Cash 4 Life’ promotion, two flasks of Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum allowed two loyal consumers to become real millionaires,” said Gramegna.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170205/rjrgleaner-employee-wins-10m-q-key-cash-4-life

New JMMB Her Wealth offering targets women

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A recent study conducted by the International Labour Organization identified Jamaica as one of the top three countries where ‘the boss’ is likely to be female. These statistics in the study Women in Business and Management, Gaining Momentum are not surprising, as women account for more than 70 per cent of students enrolled at the tertiary level in major local universities.

Climbing the corporate ladder marks a different, if not new, milestone for women, as they have stood the test of time, often seeking work/life balance — in the case of working mothers — even as they juggle varying roles while pursuing their dreams.

In support of the empowerment of women to achieve their financial goals, the JMMB Group has announced the introduction of JMMB Her Wealth, a complete package of financial solutions which includes investments, loans, savings facilities and insurance. As part of the customisation of the offerings to better cater to women, JMMB also provides a maternity loan, and coverage of handbag contents against theft as part of their motor vehicle insurance offering.

According to JMMB Jamaica Country Manager Kisha Anderson, women have shown their continued intention to attain financial success in Jamaica.

“We aim to facilitate and assist our clients to achieve their goals. This new offering is in response to a perceived gap that has been identified in the market, and research that suggests the need for financial institutions to deepen their relationship with women in order to meet their unique financial needs,” she explained.

Anderson says JMMB Her Wealth is designed as a special and remarkable vehicle for this purpose, and is the first of its kind in the market.

The JMMB Her Wealth packaged solution also includes a rewards programme that offers JMMB Her Wealth clients special access to discounts (or other benefits) of up to 20 per cent from partnering companies.

The partners selected to be a part of the JMMB Her Wealth Rewards programme are established organisations that offer support services that are typically utilised by women in their daily lives. These include auto servicing and maintenance; food; home care; medical services; counselling; beauty and spa services; computers and accessories; and children’s products and accessories.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/allwoman/issues/New-JMMB-Her-Wealth-offering-targets-women_87598

JMMB focuses on ‘Her Wealth’

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Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) aims to cement its place as the financial partner of choice for women with its newest product offering, JMMB Her Wealth.

In launching what it describes as the first of its kind on the market, the investment institution has designed the financial solution with hopes of empowering women to realise their financial goals through investments, loans, savings and insurance.

The women-only event was held at the Spanish Court Hotel on Wednesday.

JMMB Her Wealth follows on two new unit trust products — the JMMB Bond Fund and JMMB Real Value Fund — launched by the institution in 2015 as it sought to increase market share.

“…whatever they are and wherever we are on our financial journey. We have included unique add-ons like maternity loan and handbag coverage, which is a part of the motor vehicle insurance coverage,” JMMB Country Manager Kisha Anderson told the audience, adding that the company has identified that women have unique needs and have a different relationship with money from men.

“As your financial partner we want to support you by providing financial expertise and education to give you greater access to critical services so that you can be empowered to make the best financial decisions for yourselves, your families and those who depend on you,” she continued.

According to Anderson, the financial institution, which made $2.03 billion in net profit in the six-month period ended September 30, 2016, expects the introduction of JMMB Her Wealth to expand the company’s client base while deepening its relationship with clients.

Currently, the gender split of JMMB’s client base stands at 59 per cent, in favour of women.

“Research indicates that women represent a huge potential market opportunity for growth across many industries, including finance where there are gaps perceived in the way financial institutions cater to women and their unique needs,” said Anderson.

JMMB Her Wealth will also feature a rewards programme for services utilised by women in their daily lives, including medical care, beauty, auto and home and garden services. JMMB will be partnering with companies from the service industries to offer discounts between five and 20 per cent.

As a part of its aim to facilitate financial empowerment for women, JMMB Group will also be hosting quarterly financial education sessions which are expected to provide women with guidance and knowledge of important financial matters.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/JMMB-focuses-on–Her-Wealth-_87057

22 Prisoners Get Early Release – Food For The Poor Pays Fines For More Non-Violent Inmates

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Twenty-two inmates of the island’s prisons are now back with their families, having secured early release through the generosity of donors of the international relief and development organisation, Food For The Poor.

For more than 18 years, Food For The Poor has secured the release of non-violent offenders in Jamaica by paying their fines at Christmas and Easter. This act of kindness is also done for inmates in Guyana, Haiti, and Honduras.

Every year, poor Jamaicans are imprisoned for minor, non-violent offences because of their inability to pay their court fines, even if the amounts they are fined are minimal.

PRAYERS ANSWERED

The prayers of a former inmate in the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre were answered when he was told that he would be freed late last year after being unable to pay his fine. Most of his money had been used to take care of his sick mother.

“It’s always just me and my mother. When I actually realised that I was going to be locked up, I couldn’t believe that this was happening to me but I prayed a lot and asked God to just keep me out of trouble and keep me sane so I could one day see my mother again,” said the non-violent offender.

According to the former inmate, Food For The Poor’s kindness in paying his fine has renewed his belief and hope in God.

“Food For The Poor coming to pay my fine today so that I can go home to my mother proves to me that God is real,” added the inmate.

Another former inmate broke down in tears when her name was announced as one of the persons whose fines had been paid by the charity.

“When I heard my name, I thought I was being asked to do an item on the programme. Little did I know it was much more than that. When the announcement was made the tears just started to flow, and I couldn’t stop crying,” she said.

David Mair, executive director of Food For The Poor Jamaica, said the prison release tradition is one that the organisation intends to continue because of the impact it has on inmates.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170122/22-prisoners-get-early-release-food-poor-pays-fines-more-non-violent-inmates

Food For The Poor assists family, elderly with houses

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A Portland family and an elderly man are the latest beneficiaries of houses from philanthropic organisation Food For The Poor (FFP) after their plight was highlighted by the Jamaica Observer North East in 2015.

The family of four, which includes a wheelchair-bound man, was desperately in need of a house to get out of the crammed space they shared in the back room of a relative’s house in Waybridge, Portland, for years.

Observer North & East reported in 2015 that Jacqueline Thompson, her two daughters and her physically challenged son all shared a single bed in a room which an aunt allowed them to stay in, after they had been living in the garage for some time.

At the time, Thompson stressed that she needed help to get back on her feet.

“I am feeling happy about getting my house. I thank God as I can’t leave him out,” she said.

Thompson also thanked justice of the peace and pastor of the Church of God in Christ at Long Road, Roy Titus, who tried desperately to get assistance for the family. He described their situation as “dire,” then.

She also thanked the Ministry of Housing for the land space, Food For The Poor for the house, the Observer for highlighting her need, and the parish council and the National Insurance Scheme for their assistance.

“I am a happy person now. It was a long and horrible wait; I cried sometimes. The children are very happy, especially my son Okeno,” Thompson shared.

The house, which is located at Darlingford Housing Scheme in Manchioneal in the parish, was handed over last October. Thompson said FFP has also pledged to donate furniture.

A visually impaired elderly man was also the beneficiary of a house from FFP.

Urnal Taylor lived in a dirt-floor, one-bedroom house in Boston in the parish for years, before FFP read of his plight in the

Observer and presented him with the keys for a new house.

“This house is beautiful as much as mi can’t see it. I am comfortable and mi have space. Thanks to all the people who helped me, and the gentleman here, Pastor Titus. The blessings on his shoulders can’t come off. Welcome; welcome,” he said with a broad grin on his face.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/regional/Food-For-The-Poor-assists-family–elderly-with-housesObserver-North-and-East-article-spurs-action——-_87286

Women Dominate JMMB Client Base

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JMMB Group has launched a suite of products designed especially for women in response to a trend observed over the years where a greater number of its clients are female.

Its client base is currently 59 per cent female, according to JMMB country manager for Jamaica Kisha Anderson at the unveiling of a new product, JMMB Her Wealth, at an event in New Kingston.

Under the new offerings, women will be able to access insurance, investments, loans and savings accounts, the company said, “from a financial institution that has sought to customise some of its financial solutions to empower women to achieve their financial goals”, JMMB said in a statement.

By tailoring products for women, JMMB said it positions the company to attract even more business from the demographic.

“Research indicates that women represent a huge potential market opportunity for growth across many industries, including finance where there are gaps perceived in the way financial institutions cater to women and their unique needs,” Anderson said in the company release.

PROFIT NOT MAIN OBJECTIVE

Speaking with Financial Gleaner at the launch, Anderson said that while JMMB anticipates a wide take-up of the new products, profit was not the primary objective.

“As we were thinking about this campaign, we weren’t necessarily thinking about a dollar figure. The objective of the campaign is us being intentional about reaching out to women,” she said.

“If you think about our revenues and profit, it’s a near 60/40 split in terms of the revenue we make from women,” said the JMMB Jamaica head.

JMMB Her Wealth will also feature a rewards programme for services typically utilised by women. The company has partnered with merchants who offer medical care, beauty, auto, and home and garden services to provide five to 20 per cent discounts, among others benefits for women.

To design JMMB Her Wealth, Anderson said focus groups and surveys were conducted over a 12- to 18-month period.

“Before we started the study, we had several focus groups where we asked the women about their needs and expectations of a financial house. We found out what their dreams are so we could figure out how we will help them towards those things,” she said.

“You find that women don’t generally trust themselves when it comes to financial products, so improving their financial literacy is something that we want to focus on.”

JMMB says it will be hosting quarterly financial education sessions aimed at women.

tameka.gordon@gleanerjm.com

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20170120/women-dominate-jmmb-client-base

Food For The Poor Brings Joy To Golden Agers

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Executive Director of Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica David Mair (right), feeds a resident of the Golden Age Home during the Christmas Treat hosted by his charity organisation recently. Sharing in the moment is Mishka Townsend-Brown, assistant general manager, Golden Age Home. Approximately 150 residents were fed and treated with care packages by FFP Jamaica. The treat for the elderly at the Golden Age Home was one of several treats held by FFP Jamaica to commemorate the festive Christmas season last year.

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Residents of the Golden Age Home enjoy their lunch provided by members of Food For The Poor during their annual Christmas Treat.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170112/food-poor-brings-joy-golden-agers

Food for the Poor assists inmates to get early release

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More than 300 former inmates were able to spend Christmas at home with their families, thanks to generous donors of the international relief and development organisation Food For The Poor (FFTP).

For 18 years, the charity has secured the release of non-violent offenders in Guyana, Haiti, Honduras and Jamaica by paying their accumulated fines at Christmas and at Easter.

Hundreds of the poor, including women, in the Caribbean and Latin America are imprisoned for minor offences because of their inability to pay their court fines, even though the amounts are minimal.

“These prisons can quickly become a black hole of despair, especially for someone locked up with murderers because they do not have the money to pay a fine for a minor offence,” said Robin Mahfood, president/CEO of FFTP.

“Words do not convey the gratitude we have for our loving donors and staff who have not lost faith in a segment of people who are often forgotten or written off as a lost cause,” said Mahfood.

In Jamaica, 21 non-violent prisoners were released from their cells. Four women were freed from the Fort Augusta Adult Correctional Centre, four men from Richmond Park, one man from Tamarind Farm, two men from Tower Street, and 10 men from the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre.

Among the released is a 63-year-old bus driver who was placed behind bars on December 1 for not wearing the required bus uniform.

He was faced with two options for the offence: pay a fine of $32,000, or spend 60 days in prison. He opted to be jailed because he could not afford the fine.

“I have a daughter attending university, and college expenses are quite costly, but I want to give her a better life. This is why I didn’t have the funds to pay the fine,” he said.

“It has been hard in prison, especially when you think about not having the freedom you are used to. Being on lockdown is not easy.”

When the man found out that FFTP had paid his outstanding fine for his early release, he said, “I feel good! I didn’t have it to pay, and to know that people who don’t know me would just do this for me, it makes me feel really good inside.”

Immediately upon release from the different prisons, the former inmates were each greeted by FFTP staff who provided them with food, supplies and offered words of encouragement.

http://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20161228/food-poor-assists-inmates-get-early-release

‘Q Is The Key To Cash 4 Life’ – Enriching Lives For Christmas

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The lives of five lucky Jamaicans have been enriched this festive season, thanks to cash prizes they have won for the month of November in J. Wray & Nephew Limited’s ‘Q is the Key to Cash 4 Life’ competition.

Laffern Anderson, Kervin Bryson and Keisha Bennett were randomly selected as the first, second and third-place winners with cash prizes of $500,000, $250,000 and $150,000, respectively.

When 55-year-old Anderson, who had already won $10,000 in the competition, was informed that she won $500,000, she could not contain herself.

“I can’t even explain how mi feel. Mi really, really glad! I love to buy my white rum and drink it with Pepsi because it drink really good, so this just make me feel even better,” Anderson, who is from Highgate, St Mary, said with a laugh.

Anderson, a domestic worker, explained how timely the cash prize was in helping her to accomplish her goal of finishing the construction of her home.

“I am going to finish up mi house with the money. Mi a poor smaddy, enuh, so me house nuh done yet. Mi a go continue enter because me want to win in the finals come January also, because me have an operation on my eye, and that money woulda do me good,” she added.

Like Anderson, Bryson was over the moon when he was informed that he won $250,000. The 28-year-old who is from Trelawny and works in the construction business said: “I feel good about it. Mi glad mi did buy the flask of [Wray & Nephew] White Overproof Rum and entered.”

“I have not spent the money as yet. What I want to do is to build a one-room, but I have no land. I will try to make something out of it. Mi ah go put it to use,” he said.

Bennett, a nail technician from St Ann, said she has plans to invest the $150,000 she won.

Pietro Gramegna, marketing manager, J. Wray & Nephew Limited, said the company is happy to have enriched the lives of hundreds of Jamaicans with the competition.

WEEKLY CASH PRIZES

“This year we are happy to be providing 14 weeks of daily cash prizes of $10,000, mobile phone credit, and monthly cash prizes of $50,000, $100,000, $150,000, $250,000 and $500,000. In January 2017, there will be a grand prize draw for two persons to each win $1,000,000 per year for the next 10 years,” Gramegna said.

“Already, more than $5,000,000 has been won by entrants from the competition, with our first, second, third, fourth and fifth-place winners of $500,000, $250,000, $150,000, $100,000 and $50,000; 110 winners of $10,000, and 8,540 winners of $100 phone credit for the months of October and November,” he added.

The 14-week competition features dancehall’s Real Rich sensation Tanto Blacks and will award nearly $30 million in prize money between October 2016 and January 2017 to winning players who purchase ‘Qs’ (200 ml bottles) of Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, Charley’s JB Overproof Rum, Appleton Special or Campari, once they peel their labels, text the codes to the number provided and are selected.