The Miami Heat basketball team will celebrate ‘Jamaica Night’ next Tuesday, January 13, as part of their ongoing effort to assist Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa.
According to information reaching **The Gleaner**, part proceed from the night will be donated to Jamaica’s hurricane rebuilding effort.
The Miami Heat has already pledged US$1 million to Jamaica’s hurricane relief efforts. Alongside this donation, the organisation has also donated some 68 tons of hurricane supplies consisting of food and medical kits.
A spokeswoman for the Miami Heat organisation told **The Gleaner** that they have been in touch with Jamaican entertainer Sean Paul to be at the game and to meet patrons on court at half-time.
For the game, the Heat will be offering special packages to patrons which will include a meet-and-greet with Sean Paul on the court.
The funds donated will be funnelled through Food For The Poor with which Sean Paul has been working closely to provide hurricane assistance to Jamaicans in the affected parishes.
Jamaican heritage
-----------------
Norman Powell, who plays for the Miami Heat and whose father is a Jamaican, has also personally donated some US$100,000 to the country’s hurricane relief effort through his foundation. Powell is a member of the Jamaican national basketball team.
Powell has embraced his Jamaican heritage and has a strong connection with his Jamaican roots.
Reacting to the hurricane efforts by the Miami Heat, Jamaica’s Consul General Oliver Mair has praised the organisation, noting that it is demonstrating true corporate responsibility.
“The Miami Heat has long been an integral part of our community and has always reached out to the community whenever the need arises. This is truly big and I congratulate the Miami Heat on this magnificent gesture,” said Mair.
Mair recalled that last year the Miami Heat also hosted a Jamaica Night as part of its community outreach efforts.
“The Miami Heat has always risen to the occasion when called on,” said Mair.
Dr Allan Cunningham, a season ticket holder with the Heat, told **The Gleaner** that the Jamaica Night initiative speaks volumes for their team’s support for the global community.
“I am delighted at this effort and it speaks to how the organisation views and appreciates Jamaica,” he said.
Cunningham, a former Global Jamaica Diaspora Council member for the Southern US Region and head of Jamaican For Broward County, told **The Gleaner** that the powers that be in Jamaica must ensure that such efforts benefit the people most impacted by the ravages of the hurricane.
“This is a wonderful occasion for Jamaicans in the state (Florida) to come out and support the team and show their love for Jamaica, knowing that fellow Jamaicans will benefit from their involvement,” he said.
Cunningham described the Heat’s continued hurricane effort as a big deal.
Corey Shearer, a Jamaican community activist in Florida, said the Jamaican community has always been supportive of the Miami Heat from the outset and that the Heat was recognising this support through its hurricane outreach effort.
“The relationship between the Jamaican community and the Heat has been further strengthened by having Norman \[Powell\] on the team,” he said.
Shearer said that efforts like that by the Miami Heat around the world will allow Jamaica to build back better and stronger.
_[editorial@gleanerjm.com](mailto:editorial@gleanerjm.com)_