Shopping downtown for many was a first, but it certainly won't be the last. It is not often Jamaicans from all walks of life come together for the purpose of helping to rebuild their country, but that's what happened on Wednesday night on King Street. Throngs of Jamaicans just enjoying the evening, deals from shops and vendors alike, and funny enough, each other!

The Gleaner, one of the sponsors of Downtown Comes Alive, used the occasion to shop for orphans at the Missionaries of the Poor's Bethlehem Children's Home located in downtown Kingston.

Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie was the driving force behind the event and he, along with the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Council, welcomed the aid of Scotiabank and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, which all gave invaluable support.

Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie (left) admires a shirt purchased by Christopher Barnes, The Gleaner's deputy managing director (right), while Senator Dwight Nelson, minister of national security (centre), looks on. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

Michael Ammar (right), owner of Ammars, injects a little humour into the conversation as he helps The Gleaner's deputy managing director Christopher Barnes (left), and Terry-Anne Wilson, corporate affairs officer, to make the right choice of children's items for the Bethlehem Children's Home.

Female Dancehall deejay Tifa (left) points to an item she was interested in purchasing for the children. - Photo by Marlon Vickerman