Reid standing at the entrance to the dilapidated house before work began.

Refurbishing work being started at Reid's house.

The Gleaner/Star will be assisting selected mothers who are in need of help to coincide with Mother's Day this year. We have already identified at least three such cases of mothers in need of assistance, and will be previewing our second case today.

There is no doubt that there are some among us who are feeling the economic burden and, so, through sponsorship from corporate Jamaica and the public, The Gleaner/STAR is seeking to assist some of these persons.

Already companies such as, LIME, Kia Motors, Headline Entertainment, Television Jamaica and the promoters of the Mother's Day show To Mom With Love, have expressed their interests in helping these persons.

As part of our work with Television Jamaica, we will be showcasing a one-hour programme that will take place on the local station that will include video footage of the special cases and any assistance received.

Along with that footage, there will be clips showing popular figures spending time with their mothers, and speaking of their influences on their lives. There will also be tributes and performances from some of Jamaica's top talents, including Romain Virgo, Tessane Chin , Tami Chynn, Omi, Richie Stephens, Ikaya, Dean Fraser, Assassin and gospel star Carlene Davis.

renovating reid

Today, we continue our Mother's Day charity programme by focusing on 85-year-old Thelma Reid.

Reid, who resides in the south St Andrew community of Waterhouse, has spent some time living in a dilapidated house.

This is about to change, as after The Gleaner discovered Reid's situation we approached the promoters of the To Mom With Love show and through the Tank-Weld company, they are now in the process of trying to refurbish her home.

Her roof had leaked every time it rained and Reid was forced to sleep under plastic to prevent being wet. Majority of the rooms were empty and she had no bathroom or kitchen.

When THE STAR visited the comm-unity yesterday, Reid sat and watched as workers were busy clearing away debris to begin work on the structure.

She has experienced a number of rough years. The elderly woman has been battered by several hurricanes, lost her husband, and suffered tremendous hardships because of her inability to work.

Now, Reid said she is thankful that God has blessed those responsible for providing assistance.

"Anything you do, you must pray about it ... God will lead and show you how to move ... I asked God for help, and I got the help," she said.

She was in high spirits when THE STAR visited and spoke about the upcoming Mothers' Day event, which she will be attending courtesy of the promoters.

She told THE STAR, "Yes, I can't wait for the show. I don't go out much enuh, from home to church and church to home, that is how it has always been yuh nuh. They took me shopping too, I'm sorry you weren't there".

Reid, talking about her involvement in the community over the years, said she has always avoided fuss and contention and mostly stayed by herself.

She said she has managed with the grace of God to live a long life. "The people around treat me good I must say but I look to Jesus. I cry to him continuously," she said.

When it was time for us to depart, Reid said, "I wouldn't mind you take up some more of my time but anyway, each day as you go along never you forget the word of the Lord."

Because of the present work being carried out on Reid's home, she has been temporarily relocated by an elder in the Penwood Seventh-day Adventist Church, Kenneth Betton, to a nearby home until the work has been completed.

While Downsound Records, Supreme and Golden promotions, the organisers of 'To Mom with Love' have already provided majority of the building supplies through Tank-Weld, a few other things such as electrical and bathroom fixtures are still needed to complete the project.

If you are interested in assisting Reid, contact The Gleaner at 932-6249/932-6271.