VM Group uplifts Montego Bay’s Corinaldi Avenue Primary for Labour Day 2026

/ Our Today

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Frederick Williams (3rd left), Group Chief Financial Officer at the VM Group, shares a photo opportunity with (left to right), Suzette Ramdanie-Linton, Assistant Vice President, Branch Distribution at the VM Group; His Worship the Mayor Councillor Richard Vernon, Mayor of Montego Bay; Deon Stern-Anglin, Principal of the Corinaldi Avenue Primary School; Michael Howard, CEO of VM Property Services Limited; Naudia Crosskill, CEO of the St. James Municipal Corporation; and Stacey Vernon, wife of the Mayor, along with their kids.

The VM Group tapped into its spirit of service and community support for Labour Day 2026, undertaking a beautification and clean-up project at Corinaldi Avenue Primary School in St James.

Approximately 60 VM volunteers participated in the initiative, spending hours painting walls and benches at the school’s entrance, classrooms and adjoining areas including the school’s garden.

The project comes as many institutions in western Jamaica continue recovery efforts following the passage of Hurricane Melissa last year.

Frederick Williams, Group Chief Financial Officer, paints a section of the curb wall surrounding the garden at the Corinaldi Avenue Primary School during the Group’s Labour Day 2026 project.

Frederick Williams, Group Chief Financial Officer, said the Group wanted to lift the spirits of the staff, teachers and students of the school.

“Our aim really is to bring a smile to everyone’s face when they show up for school tomorrow. We know that surroundings have a significant impact on mood and even academic outcomes, so we are pleased to play a part in supporting the Corinaldi Avenue Primary family,” he said.

(Left to right) Frederick Williams, Group Chief Financial Officer, in conversation with Deon Stern-Anglin, principal of the Corinaldi Avenue Primary School, Suzette Ramdanie-Linton, Assistant Vice President – Branch Distribution at the VM Group; and Michael Howard, CEO of VM Property Services Limited.

Suzette Ramdanie-Linton, Assistant Vice President for Branch Distribution at the VM Building Society, said the organisation intentionally chose to bring this year’s Labour Day project to western Jamaica in light of the challenges communities in the region have been facing.

“We wanted to take this year’s Labour Day initiative to western Jamaica given the current context following Hurricane Melissa and the ongoing recovery efforts taking place across the region. I reached out to the St. James Municipal Corporation, which identified several communities, businesses and institutions in need of support, and based on the recommendations provided by the Parish Disaster Coordinator, Corinaldi Avenue Primary School was selected as one of the institutions most deserving of assistance,” Ramdanie-Linton shared.

Suzette Ramdanie-Linton (right), Assistant Vice President for Branch Distribution at the VM Group, prepares a grill surrounding the school’s garden area for painting, along with Jacqueline Sasso (left), Legal and Regulatory Support Officer, during the VM Group’s Labour Day 2026 project at the Corinaldi Avenue Primary School.

Principal of the school, Deon Stern-Anglin, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the VM Group and its volunteers for the support provided and for the facelift the school has received.

“The Corinaldi family is so grateful, happy and overjoyed today that VM took on a Labour Day project to support our school and join this noble institution in supporting a worthy cause,” she said.

The initiative forms part of the VM Group’s ongoing commitment to community development and national support efforts, particularly in communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa.