Jamaica is still reeling from Hurricane Melissa. These stars are stepping up
Jamaica took a tremendous hit when Hurricane Melissa barreled through the northern Caribbean at the end of October.
With sustained winds of 185 mph, the Category 5 monster was the island’s worst storm on record. The death toll stands at 45 and thousands remain without water, electricity, food, and, in some cases, homes.
Celebrities with strong ties to the island are stepping up Friday night at Hard Rock Live to do their part from South Florida. The Stay Strong Jamaica benefit will feature performances by such powerhouses as dancehall great Shaggy, reggae royalty Julian Marley and iconic Kingston band Inner Circle,
To note, Shaggy has been in the trenches for the cause a while. Right after the natural catastrophe struck, the “Boombastic” singer was boots on the ground in his home country, raising funds like a boss. In an Instagram video, with downed trees and devastation behind him, Shaggy revealed he would match all donations up to $50,000.
Speaking of donations: Organizers say 100 percent of net proceeds from the event’s ticket sales will be directed to Jamaica’s Promise. That’s the designated beneficiary from the Hard Rock Heals Foundation, “supporting urgently needed housing, infrastructure repair and humanitarian aid.”
Jamaican Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness thanked everyone who plans to attend in advance:
“After the initial shock of the widespread devastation, we have now shifted our focus to recovery mode,” he said in press materials. “Given the magnitude of the damage, there is little doubt that it will be a long and arduous journey. But together we will rebuild stronger than before.”
If you go:
What: Stay Strong Jamaica
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Hard Rock Live, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood
Tickets: starting from $71 at Ticketmaster.com
