Michelle Wilson-Reynolds

THERE IS no doubt that Tanto Campbell is an outstanding Jamaican. At 29 years old, he has already achieved global recognition as a sportsman, earning for himself a spot on the podium at the World Championships in Berlin, Germany, this year after winning a bronze medal in a discus event.

It is the latest addition to his collection of medals which includes bronze from the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, China, and gold, silver and bronze at previous Paralympics and world events. Campbell says winning medals on the world stage is great, but it is not the only major success of his life. In the last few years he has been able to further his education with the help of a scholarship from the Capital and Credit Financial Group (CCFG). Speaking at the company's scholarship awards ceremony held recently, he described the pride he felt at having completed the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate subjects and attested to the positive impact it has had on his life.

"They have been very good to me, and I will always be grateful," says Campbell.

Deputy executive director of the Mustard Seed Communities, Darcy Tulloch-Williams, also attests to the benevolence of the organisation. "They have been excellent to us in terms of being consistent in their contributions to Mustard Seed and in the caring for our children," she says. The relationship between the charity organisation and the financial entity began seven years ago, and according to Tulloch-Williams, it has been good. She fondly recalls the assistance Capital and Credit provided after Hurricane Ivan in 2004 through the initiative of the group's senior vice-president for marketing and corporate affairs, Michelle Wilson-Reynolds. "We had lost roofs; we had no water, no electricity. I remember when Michelle came with a driver and assessed the situation. She identified what we needed and collaborated with her overseas partners to get us the tanks and other things we needed at Jerusalem," Tulloch-Williams recounts.

Undoubtedly, 2009 has been a tough year for businesses in Jamaica but Tulloch-Williams says Jamaicans - citizens and corporate entities alike - have come through for the Mustard Seed Communities in times of crisis. "When we had the fire at Martha's House, it was so heartening to see the amount of goodwill that is out there, to know that in very challenging times people will rise to the occasion and that community spirit takes precedence," she relates.

Despite the current financial challenges, Wilson-Reynolds says her organisation remains committed to assisting the Mustard Seed Communities. "We are a Jamaican company that operates for the betterment of Jamaica. "There is no organisation that will continue to remain profitable and healthy if the society around it is not healthy. We care about making sure that we give back to society and we can help those in greatest need," Wilson-Reynolds adds.

The CCFG executive asserts that while the company cannot be all things to all charities, there is a conscious effort to make a meaningful contribution. "This is one of the reasons we have focused on the next generation in terms of children's homes, their health, education and well-being. Last year we gave about $1.8 million to about 50 charities that cater to children's needs," she explains.

Wilson-Reynolds notes that the general support the company has given is in addition to the money raised through 'Pickney Love', its signature outreach event held at Christmas. "It's a family show where we get wholesome entertainment, including some of Jamaica's stellar performers. So far we have raised just about $8 million to buy anti-retroviral drugs and to change Dare to Care from being a hospice to a home. And that is what has happened, no child has died as a result of needing any medication," she adds.