FONTANA Pharmacy continued to embody the true spirit of the season this Christmas as it teamed up with internationally acclaimed singer Tami Chin-Mitchell and social media influencer Toni-Ann Bedassie to bring joy to wards at Mary’s Child, one of the beneficiaries of its Wishing Tree programme.

The initiative focused on thoughtful gift-giving to brighten the holidays for teen moms and their children.

The project highlighted the spirit of generosity as Chin-Mitchell and Bedassie delivered gifts to the home, along with their special contributions.

Chin-Mithchell donated $150,000 to the home from her MTM Foundation, while Bedassie gifted the seven caretakers of Mary’s Child with special gift packages from Fontana.

The gift-giving showcased the warmth that defines the holiday season in Jamaica, with all the wards receiving gifts and presents from Fontana Pharmacy, ensuring no one was left out of the holiday cheer.

The collaboration followed the success of a 2023 initiative when Chin-Mitchell joined Fontana Pharmacy in decorating a Christmas tree at its Waterloo Road location before delivering it to Mary’s Child.

The aunts at the home added their final touches, creating a collaborative and festive moment. This year, the focus shifted to the simple yet profound act of giving, with no tree decoration but an emphasis on meaningful contributions.

The Wishing Tree initiative is Fontana Pharmacy’s annual effort to spread holiday cheer to children’s homes across Jamaica. Each of Fontana’s seven locations adopts a children’s home each year and places a Wishing Tree in store adorned with tags representing children. Customers are invited to pick a tag, purchase a gift, and enjoy a 20 per cent discount on the selected item. Fontana then collects these gifts and ensures they are delivered to the children in time for Christmas.

“During my recent visit to Mary’s Child, I was deeply moved by the resilience and determination of these young women. Homes like this play a critical role in offering not just shelter, but hope, education, and a path to a brighter future for both mother and child.

“Supporting these spaces is an investment in their future and a commitment to creating a stronger, more compassionate community. I encourage everyone to consider donating to facilities like this as every contribution helps to empower these young mothers to rebuild their lives and ensure their children thrive. Together we can make a difference,” said Chin-Mitchell.

She was supported by Bedassie who emphasised the importance of giving back.

“Being a part of this Wishing Tree initiative has made my heart so full and [was] just another reminder that it will always feel better to give than to receive. You will have no idea the impact that you would have made on these lives,” said Bedassie as she highlighted her excitement about being part of such a meaningful initiative.

Through this collaboration, Fontana Pharmacy hopes to inspire others to give back and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas each year.