Churches CU launches season of giving

KINGSTON:

In the midst of the harsh economic climate where cutbacks are the order of the day, the Churches Cooperative Credit Union has announced that it will be making several contributions to local churches and charities as part of the 'Churches Season of Giving' Campaign. This campaign includes the Churches Supporting Churches Project which focusses on providing assistance towards church-related outreach programmes.

Social outreach

This initiative will see the credit union making donations to at least ten churches, charitable organisations and worthy causes, as well as carrying out social outreach and providing support for the performing arts throughout the year.

The campaign started earlier this month with a feeding day, which was held at the St Stephen's United Church, near the credit union's head office on Eureka Road in Kingston. On that occasion, the credit union's staff members prepared and distributed a hot meal and special Easter packages to the less fortunate in the community.

Gov't promoting healthy lifestyle

PORT MARIA, St Mary:

Government's commitment to promoting healthy public lifestyle is being highlighted by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Grace Allen-Young.

Speaking at the annual conference of the St Mary Health Department at the Anglican Church Hall, Port Maria, on Thursday, April 16, Allen-Young said the Ministry will be focussing on a number of areas, including the promotion of physical activities, good nutrition, safe sex and stress management in pursuit of the objective.

Held under the theme, 'Wellness - Fall in Line in 2009', the conference was attended by health professionals and representatives of several health related organisations from within and outside St Mary.

Allen-Young told the audience that the adoption of healthy lifestyles will prevent, or delay, the onset of chronic diseases, and emphasised that wellness speaks not only to the absence of diseases, but also involves the mental, emotional and physical well-being of an individual.

Abolition of user-fees

Noting that the theme of the conference was in keeping with the health promotion strategy employed by the Ministry, she said the abolition of user-fees at Government health institutions, was one of the initiatives being pursued to ensure that the best quality health care is available to every citizen.

Henry calls for in-depth probe of police shooting

MAY PEN, Clarendon:

Central Clarendon Member of Parliament (MP), Mike Henry, has called for the Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI) to thoroughly investigate the shooting death of Cohen Grant of Nickle's Avenue, May Pen by the police early Wednesday morning.

Mr Henry said that eyewitness reports pointed to an "injudicious killing by the police, hence his call for the kind of investigation that was likely to produce a just result, wherever the blame should really be laid."