Readers give thumbs up to the Downers

The following are online reactions to yesterday's lead story, 'Feeding the down and out', about the Downer family's 24-year tradition of giving meals to the needy on Boxing Day. To make your own online comments visit www.jamaica-gleaner.com.

Hi, may Father God's blessings be bestowed upon the Downer family and I hope a lot more people will follow your example and help the poor, with Father God's help. If we all chip in and help the poorer ones, that will please our Heavenly Father and also help to eliminate the crimes. Those poor people do not really want to steal, but sometimes they are hungry and they have no other choice. So please let us all help them and pray and just maybe Father Lord our God will help to stop the crimes.

Please everyone try and follow the Downers and let us all help our brothers and sisters out of the pit they are in and we all will have a better Jamaica,with God's help!

- Payne

Wow ... nice. This is what is needed. More of us to help those in need than lavish on those who already have

- Dee

The Downers are a rare national treasure in a time when there is so much evil and selfishness in the land. They are doing their part in expressing their love and concern for those who are less fortunate. The Downers should be an inspiration to us all to help our brothers and sisters instead of harming and killing them. God knows we need a lot of love in Jamaica. We need to do more to help people value the lives of others rather than destroying them.

- Mistermel

This act of kindness is touching and civil. I thank the Downer family for their big hearts in helping those down on their luck. God's blessings will always be upon their heads throughout life.

- BUCScie

A wonderful example for all; family direction from the elders, unity, co-operation and tradition. Bless You!

- Sallywilks28

Wonderful! The world would be a better place with people like these. When good family values are instilled in children it is unlikely that they will grow up robbing people or being malicious.

- Shari

Good story, we need more families like this one. I wish mine was that connected.

- Claire

It is nice to see there are still some people willing to help others in times of need and that they have their whole family included.

This is something that should happen in all parishes. This is something I would donate to as I feel the money would get to the right people.

- Precious_one_40

What a family! May God's rich blessings be forever bestowed on this family. I implore other families who are more fortunate in these times to help the indigent ones. Maybe these are some of the things which can help to bring back the love in our country. God bless you all and all the best for 2011!!

- Franc

This is such a Christian and generous act by the Downer family, and we all can join in to make this world a better place.Your deeds and act of kindness will not go unnoticed by Jesus, and your rewards await you. One of the many commands that Jesus gave is to feed the hungry, and that is what you are doing. May God bless you all and keep up the good work.

- Jongfellow

Congratulations on your fine work. It is, however, sad indeed that you are needed and even sadder that the need is growing. I pray that your grandchild will not need to carry on your mission and that by the time she is an adult the problem of hunger would have been solved in Jamaica.

- Angie

I love my Jamaican people!

Well done to Noel, Alice Downer and family, keep up the good work ...

You and your family are truly blessed ... !

- Basil Smith

I want to commend this family for their generous spirit. This is an example of what can be achieved when we come together as one family and decide to do good to help those less fortunate. In today's society, where the focus is on 'me' and what can 'I' get, this family is a shining example to us all. Keep up the good work.

-Kingpin64