Now celebrating its 10th year and recently having inked a title sponsorship deal with new power drink from Wray and Nephew tonic wine line, Jagra, the GT Taylor Christmas Extravaganza has seen marked progress and has been used to facilitate social and health issues.

Last year, an unprecedented number of patrons took advantage of HIV/Aids tests made available at the event on the invitation of GT Taylor. Each year, GT Taylor Christmas Extravaganza uses its staging to carry a message.

Last year's 'Peace and Love' theme enjoyed another incident- free staging. This year, the theme for the event is 'Caring and Sharing Through Music,' and as usual, GT Taylor is leading by example.

Care Committee

Over the years, the event has in some way benefited one group or another in some form, be it a donation of computers to the Black River Primary School and youth clubs, sports gear for a community football team, or the event's most recent beneficiary, the St Elizabeth Care Committee.

The parish's care group, Angels, is responsible for feeding, bathing and sheltering more than 20 homeless persons. "We use the show to bring awareness to people about the homeless. I got involved with the Care Committee year before last after talking with the Mayor of Black River, Mrs Holmes. Through the initiative of people like Mrs Joyce Francis, every Tuesday, the homeless of the parish are treated to the kind of care they need - food, shelter, bath, and such. We hope that other parishes will also make their contribution to the homeless situation," Taylor said.