Praising Ammar family for charity to poor
Published:Friday | October 9, 2015 | 11:33 AM
Praising Ammar family for charity to Kingston's poor
GLEN GEORGE WILSON
Springfield, St Elizabeth
"... For inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40). Such is what the teaching of Christ is about, and it comes to life every Friday morning in downtown Kingston.
The generosity of the Ammars is shown in an atmosphere of order, peace and tranquillity. The queue extends from 70 King Street down to Barry Street. It is hard to believe that one member of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce contributes a hundred-dollar bill to each of more than 250 needy people living in the downtown area weekly.
I am compelled to share this bit of information, because I am impressed by the selflessness and the humility of the giver. According to Michael Ammar, this philanthropy was started by his dad in the late 1940s. It was the brainchild of Elias Ammar, Sr, the founder and owner of the wholesale textile store that was located on Orange Street.
The Ammars and their employees would prefer that I did not do this, but I insisted that such a demonstration of corporate kindness in the inner city has gone unnoticed for too long. Business people who show compassion for the needy and the less fortunate must be recognised. It is my pleasure to applaud such a wonderful gesture.
This is an example to be emulated by others in the business sector. The Ammars are unsung heroes. May God continue to bless and prosper them.