Among the early responders immediately after Hurricane Melissa’s devastating romp through western Jamaica in late October was legendary, now retired sprinter Mrs Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Within days she and team members from her 13-year-old charity, Pocket Rocket Foundation, were in the hills of hard-hit western St Elizabeth and eastern Westmoreland delivering relief supplies.

The material support was one thing, but her presence, complete with that delightful smile and hugs for the children, lifted morale beyond measure.

Mrs Fraser-Pryce’s social media posts urging support from those able to help hurricane victims resonated.

“Every mickle mek a muckle” and “every contribution helps us make a difference” said the 39-year-old who is among the most successful sprinters of all time — male or female.

That desire to help those most in need has been evident since she became globally recognised after sensationally grabbing her first 100-metre Olympic Gold medal as a virtual unknown at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Giving a helping hand is central to the work of her foundation among student-athletes, scores of whom have received scholarships down the years, as well as other needy children in places of safety, schools, and so forth.

Mrs Fraser-Pryce’s history as a child growing up in socio-economically deprived circumstances have no doubt fuelled and nurtured that desire to help.

Nor has she ever been afraid to speak of her own experiences as a child. Such as last December at her annual Christmas treat for children in her native Waterhouse when she told the world that, “I never really had a Christmas growing up…”

Her story of how as a child she once cried when she received turn cornmeal for dinner at Christmas tugs at the heart. As she explained, she cried because, “I wanted to go back to school and tell people that I had rice and peas and chicken…”

Such testimony, coming from someone of Mrs Fraser-Pryce’s stature is of critical importance since many among our more privileged have no real concept of what life is like for people in that ‘other Jamaica’.

Also, it’s potential for inspiring those at the bottom of the socio-economic pile is limitless.

Her own experiences as a budding athlete during her school-going years are now clearly motivating Mrs Fraser-Pryce as she offers a guiding hand.

As part of that effort, the Pocket Rocket Foundation recently held the second staging of its Student Athlete Summit, attracting 150 students, including a few from St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Mrs Fraser-Pryce’s advice that her journey, and that of others who have succeeded in sport, won’t be suitable for every other person is crucial. And that not just young athletes, but those close to them should strive to understand the individual’s situation in order to help in making correct decisions.

“Going professional right away may not be the right choice right away, and sometimes it can be the right decision. That’s why you [student-athlete] have to rely on your community, the people who are around you that really support you and give you that 100 per cent honesty and feedback that you can use to make decisions,” she said.

We believe Mrs Fraser-Pryce’s empathy and generosity of spirit should show the way for all of us.