Holiday Party held in partnership between the Jamaican Canadian Association and Western Union

BY: SHAUNA-KAY CASSELL

On December 15^th, 2018, Western Union and the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) celebrated with a Holiday Family Fun Day for the community as a way to give back, and to provide a celebration to those who were unable to return home for the holidays. It was held at the JCA Centre at 995 Arrow Road between 1-6pm. Approximately 80 participants joined in a Caribbean-style celebration, hosted by DJ Jonathan Juiceman Shaw.

The DJ ignited the room with energy and holiday music, as he facilitated the constant blend of games all afternoon. With each game, there was a winner, and a prize to be given out. The spin-the-wheel game had participants coming up to see which number between one and four, the pin would land on. Every number, except number four, had its own special prize; such as pens, coconut water, hats or bandanas. For number four, players sang to the audience. Surprisingly, no one shied away from the singing. It must have been that warm family-vibes of love and unity that enraptured the halls. “When Western Union approached me about the event a couple months ago, I was thrilled at the idea. I liked that it would be a family event. For us it was about letting the community know who we are as an organization. What better way to partner and to reach out to the community,” said Adaoma Patterson, President of the JCA.

Children participated in their own cookie-eating competition. One young participant walked away with a gift basket, too big for her to carry, that was filled with GraceKennedy products. The Limbo game for adults was a hit as well. All five adults participated, until one winner emerged. She too, took home a basket of GraceKennedy products. On the hour, ticket numbers were called, and participants received Western Union jackets. “Western Union is big on supporting the community and tries to collaborate in different ways to reach the community. This is the first time we chose to partner with the JCA” says Olivia Mihaljevic, Senior Marketing Analyst of Product Marketing.

There was this familial spirit that bonded the participants together. “This is the first time that the mandate was to say thank you to our customers and the community. It was all about showing gratitude to the community, and recognizing that as a community we have hard times,” says Koree Haye, Multicultural Advertising Agency of Western Union. “We need to be consistently present. It’s not about Western Union, but it’s about showing appreciation to our customers that are so loyal to our brand. We wanna be organic,” says Avneet Sandhu, Western Union Canada, Director of Product Marketing. The same message of the importance of community and giving back was expressed over and over by the Western Union team. The community also had a chance to convey their appreciation. “I wanted to deliver money to my daughter in Savanna La Mar, Jamaica. It took all of three minutes. So I would say, Western Union is number one in my books,” says Desmond Bartley. “I tried money gram and other agencies and they failed me. Western Union never fails. So thank you Western Union,” another woman expressed. The feeling of gratitude and appreciation was mutual between the community and Western Union.

The Holiday Family Fun Day wrapped up with music from DJ Juiceman who kept the crowd bouncing to the rhythm. Truly, everyone left the Holiday Party in a good mood, with numerous prizes in hand, smiles from ear to ear, and all filled up with the spirit of a Caribbean-style Christmas.