Honouring Heroes - Joyce Powell continues to give generously
Published:Sunday | September 18, 2011 | 12:00 AM
As time draws closer to National Heroes Day on October 17, the Outlook and Flair magazines will continue to look at some of the honourees. This week, we look at retired nurse Joyce Powell who is well known in Mandeville, Manchester, for her activities on behalf of the less fortunate.
Popularly known as Miss Joyce, she will receive the badge of honour for long and faithful service to community on October 17, at King's House, and Joyce Powell is feeling good about the prospect. Speaking to Outlook via telephone, the Mandeville, Manchester, resident happily said she is not slowing down at all.
A retired nurse who spent her working life in the United States of America and England (35 years), she was born in Christiana and is married with five children, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She received her education at St Joseph's College and Long Island University, where she gained a master's degree.
Her current project involves working to make Brook's Park in Mandeville a place where all children can play and have fun.
"I want to get the young people off the streets. I don't like to see them there at all and, for the past four years, I have been raising funds to help. I have so far received US$1,000 from my overseas contacts."
Years of philanthropy
But her charitable acts began long before she returned home. While abroad, Miss Joyce regularly shipped home barrels of medical and other supplies to Jamaican hospitals, schools and churches, and once back on her own shores, she continued her philanthropic acts, taking them as serious as full-time employment.
The former president of the retired nurses' association said she will not stop helping as long as there is a need and lists among the beneficiaries of her largesse, the following organisations: a victim-support group, a police youth group, retired nurses' association, retired police group, Brook's Park, the Mandeville Lions Club and more.
Urging everyone to help where they can, no matter how small, Miss Joyce said one of the most difficult things for her is to turn away someone in need.
"I will continue to give to almost anyone who asks me for help," she said.