The Management Team of I Love Soca Cooler Festival has partnered with Food For The Poor Jamaica to provide a new home for Hyacinth Crowe of Newcombe Valley District, Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, who was displaced by Hurricane Melissa in late October 2025.

Representatives of both organisations officially handed over the home to Crowe, affectionately called “Ms Hyacinth”, marking a new beginning following the devastation caused by the hurricane.  The initiative was inspired by I Love Soca’s inaugural staging in St Elizabeth in mid-October 2025. Shortly after the event, Hurricane Melissa caused widespread destruction across the parish and surrounding communities, leaving several families without safe and secure housing.

Having established a meaningful connection with the parish, the I Love Soca team felt compelled to support the recovery effort in a tangible and lasting way.

“Our first staging in St. Elizabeth was so well received by the people of the parish. The patrons actually welcomed us like we were from the parish, and we were overwhelmed by the support we received. Just two weeks later, when we all saw the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, we knew we had a responsibility to respond with more than words,” said Andrew Bellamy, Managing Director of I Love Soca Cooler Festival. “First, we visited the parish in New Market and brought some well-needed relief items; then we decided we wanted to do even more, so we asked our patrons at the Boxing Day staging of ILS in 2025 to donate to continue our efforts. This later led to a collaboration with Food For the Poor to help build a home for Ms Hyacinth so that she can begin a new chapter in a safe place,” he continued.

He also shared that his team initially considered acquiring a container home for a resident within the hurricane-affected area. Following consultations, however, I Love Soca entered into a partnership with Food For The Poor Jamaica, whose experience and community network helped to identify a beneficiary in urgent need and bring the project to fruition.

For “Ms Hyacinth”, the handover represented a restored sense of safety, stability and hope after almost a year where she suffered loss and uncertainty.

The team at I Love Soca Jamaica expressed gratitude to Food For The Poor Jamaica and everyone who contributed to making the initiative possible. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to using its platform not only to create memorable entertainment experiences, but also to support the communities that welcome and sustain its events.