First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union's Credit Union Week activities involved tree-planting exercises at primary schools as well as a heritage tour for grade 4 students of Central Branch Primary School.

The week was celebrated under the theme, 'People Helping People', and the tree planting was symbolic as it represented the children's continued growth to become strong citizens bearing 'good fruit' and making a valuable contribution to the nation.

The students were treated to a heritage tour courtesy as one of several activities designed to practically portray this year's theme. Among the stops were the Kingston Harbour, the National Gallery, FHC's Eureka Banking Hall and a games day and treat at Hope Gardens.

Original Source

On Tuesday, September 1, 2015, FHC again set ablaze many persons' desire for achieving academic excellence at its 2015 Awards Ceremony held at the Knutsford Court Hotel where the Credit Union issued scholarships valued over $2 million dollars.

FHC offers several opportunities to secondary and tertiary students through the Y.O.U.T.H Savings Programme as well as the annual FHC GSAT and Tertiary Scholarships. FHC awarded 11 GSAT and 6 Tertiary Scholarships at the ceremony who have maintained a minimum B average.

FHC issued an Entrepreneurial Award to Giovanni Maddix, owner of UBoards, as a Business Gant that produces paper-based whiteboards which is portable, lighter and more flexible than the standard whiteboard.

Brian Lumley, Award Winning Chef and special guest speaker at the awards ceremony shared with the audience where his desire to become an entrepreneur originated.  Chef Lumley, chided the scholarship recipients "you have nothing to lose, only to gain but you have to work hard".

{lightgallery type=local path=images/galleries/foundationawards2015 previewWidth=120}Foundation Awards{/lightgallery}

Organisations and individuals across St Thomas turned out in full force to participate in the National Labour Day project at the Rudolph Elder Park in Morant Bay.

The main project included the installation of a playground in the park, with swings, a jungle gym and a slide and fencing around the area.

Janice Lindsay, principal director for culture and creative industry at the Ministry of Youth and Culture, explained that the ministry was keen on ensuring that the project reflect the year's theme - 'Labour of Love: Nurturing our Children'. She also indicated that the corporate response to the project was a major factor in ensuring its success.

"The First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union team has been here since morning and they have been working on the playground, and helping around the park. They provided some funding and labour, and assisted in any way they could," she said. 

Other Work

Other work at the park included the installation of concrete benches and tables, donated by the South African High Commission and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority; whitewashing of the trees, and cement washing of perimeter walls, as well as repairs to the existing fence and gate at the entrance to the park. Fruit trees and shrubberies, donated by the South African High Commission and the National Solid Waste Management Authority, were also planted around the area. Volunteers from communities across the parish, as well as from the Jamaica Public Service VOLTS volunteer organisation, were coordinated by the Jamaica Defence Force to assist with the painting of the gazebos and fountain, and repairs to basic infrastructure, such as toilet facilities, as well as the general clean-up of the beach and other areas of the park.

The Rudolph Elder Park is managed by the St Thomas Parish Council, which along with Member of Parliament Dr Fenton Ferguson, has promised to transform the park into the 'Emancipation in the East'.

Ferguson told The Gleaner that plans are in development to raise funds for the transformation of the park, which will eventually include a running track, a garden, and entertainment centre.

In the meantime, he said $5 million has been allocated to the parish council to continue the work started on Labour Day to improve the park and surrounding areas.

Published: Tuesday | May 26, 2015 | Jolyn Bryan | Jamaica Gleaner