Hurricane relief supplies were recently distributed by the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) to residents of eastern Hanover – with a tent being donated to the Jericho Primary School. In photo from left: Andria Dehaney-Grant, councillor and deputy mayor, Justice of the Peace Odane Gordon, Wendy Robertson, corporate affairs and communications manager, BGLC, Pamela Dixon, principal, Jericho Primary, and Beverly Jolly, community member.Contributed

Eastern Hanover welcomes BGLC hurricane relief

22 Dec 2025, 05:06 · The Gleaner

Residents of Eastern Hanover in the communities of Jericho, Retrieve, and Morris have welcomed recent hurricane supplies of tarpaulins, tents, mattresses, and household packages by the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC), which were distributed at Jericho Primary School.

Planned initially for the district of Retrieve, it was eventually staged at Jericho Primary School, considered more central to the hundreds from adjoining communities, including Claremont.

Joined by Rise Life Management Services for counselling, this effort and endeavour by the BGLC brought hope, according to Anissa Spence, disaster preparedness and emergency response coordinator for Hanover.

“The effects of hurricane Melissa were catastrophic, particularly for Eastern Hanover. Many residents would not go into the shelters, believing that the structures at home would withstand the hurricane and would last,” Spence said.

“To their shock and horror, they have shared stories of moving from one corner of their houses to the next only to witness everything being blown away. They have been left distraught, depressed … and drained, so this intervention by the BGLC is timely.”

Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox

She explained that a number of young mothers were especially grateful, expressing that with the increased challenges, they were unable to afford children supplies, which were a part of the household packages donated by the BGLC.

Andria Gutzmore, Rise Life facilitator, responsible for training and counselling, said the residents from the respective communities were very appreciative and welcoming.

“There is a special joy being expressed as many working in the hotel industry are itching to get back to work. Facing all that uncertainty (and anxiety), this is indeed restoring hope,” said Gutzmore.

“Interacting with them, listening to the stories and the eagerness being expressed about getting their lives back together again, they welcome more of this effort – and there is a sense of peace.”