URGENT MEDICAL NEEDS FOR JAMAICA! LET'S GET MEDICINE FOR THE SICK AND SUFFERING, AND HELP THE HOSPITALS SEVERELY DAMAGED BY HURRICANE MELISSA!

Recently my country Jamaica was gravely destroyed by Hurricane Melissa. Tens of thousands of our residents who are sick, and some homeless, cannot get the medicine or medical care needed.

Four of the hospitals in South and West Jamaica, namely, Black River, Falmouth, Cornwall Regional and Noel Holmes Hospitals were severely damaged. One hospital left without power requiring the evacuation of patients, and the condition is more than heart-breaking. Other hospitals in the region like St. Ann Bay hospital are stretched to the limit.

Although, I am mourning the loss of my wife, Hon. Justice Shelvin Hall, Ret. Illinois Appellate Court Judge. I was called upon by countless residents of Jamaica, Chicago, Florida, New York and other friends of Jamaica who are scattered internationally, asking for me to use my Martin's International Foundation to launch this campaign to primarily focus on raising funds for medical needs and to help with repairs of the Hospitals. Plus, assisting with healthcare items and medical equipment for these hospitals to better serve the people of Jamaica.

While I am still trying to get over the passing of my wife and other emergencies, I will do the best I can to mobilize friends and others to support this campaign now through the end of the year. Whatever funds and/or gifts received by December 31st, will shortly there after, be giving toward health care in Jamaica.

Please contribute now at this GoFundme link https://gofund.me/69fe507a0,

This campaign is managed under the umbrella of Martin's International Foundation, a 501 (C) 3, nonprofit organization, where donors' contributions can be tax-deductible. The funds given will be deposited in the special bank account set aside strictly for the purpose of the Hospital and/or other health care needs in Jamaica.

We will have a certified CPA to oversee the funds coming into the campaign and to publish when necessary the funds raised.

We have reached out to the Ministry of Health in Jamaica, and we are reaching out to the Hospitals for them to be aware and stay up to date on the campaign. We may have an independent hospital/medical committee to monitor and oversee the funds raised for this medical/health project.

Once the campaign is officially closed the funds will be presented to the hospital(s) and/or other Jamaica Health organization.

The Martin's International 43rd International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), is dedicated to my wife, late Hon. Justice Shelvin L.M. Hall, one of its Executive Producers. It takes place on Sunday, May 17th, 2026, at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC) in Lauderhill, South Florida, and a part of any proceeds will go toward Health Care in Jamaica.

PARTNERS/SPONSORS: JAMAICAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS, 25th Century Radio, GT Taylor Production, Francine McTeer, and others

Here Ephraim Martin reacted to Hurricane Melissa on ABCTV. https://youtu.be/K-oMoRYM85Y

ABOUT WHO IS LAUNCHING CAMPAIGN:

I am Ephraim M. Martin, BH(M), DBA, the President of Martin's International Foundation and the Black Heroes Matter Coalition. I'm the producer for the International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) and the Chicago Music Awards, both for 43 consecutive years. Plus, the African/Caribbean Intl Fest of Life for 33 years, and the Jerk, Seafood & Vegan Fest (JSVFest) for 10 years.

I am the recipient of a Jamaica National Honor - 2022, and more than fifty other Awards/Honors internationally.

In 2020, I led the campaign that renamed Chicago's iconic Lake Shore Drive as "Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive" in honor of Chicago's Founding Father, a Black Man from the Caribbean country of Haiti. For over 240 years, he was not properly recognized as Chicago's founder, the city where we established a trading post in 1779. Visit martinsinternational.com or www.Blackheroesmatter.org for more.