Cash
Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE DEATH of Johnny Cash, the 71-year-old American country music legend, which occurred in Nashville, Tennessee, from complications associated with diabetes, has robbed the SOS Children Village, Barrett Town, St. James, of one of its dearest friends.
"It is a rather sad blow to us, because Johnny Cash has been a very dear friend to us for over 20 years," said Johann Denk, the National Director of the SOS Children's Village. "In addition to his generosity in terms of monetary donation, he has been quite a regular visitor here, spending quality time with the kids."
Although the Barrett Town SOS Children Village is the brainchild of the late tycoon John Rollins, who provided the land and buildings for its establishment in 1970, the name Cash has all but become synonymous with its operation, as both Cash, and his late wife June, were like foster parents to the children over the years.
YEOMEN SERVICE
"Johnny and June have done yeomen service to the village and, like the Rollinses, we have always considered them as invaluable members of the SOS family," said Mr. Denk. "We will be putting out a more detailed statement later this weekend but, as of right now, I can tell you that the entire village is quite distressed at Mr. Cash's passing."
The famous and influential Cash, who won 11 Grammys, reportedly became aware of the Barrett Town SOS Village during a concert visit to Jamaica in the 1970s. On realising that the home was taking care of needy children, he promptly donated a part of his concert earnings to the village. Since then, he has been contributing regularly.
At the recent Rose Hall/SOS Children's Village Summer Football Camp, which was staged in memory of Mrs. Cash, Michele Rollins, widow of the late developer, paid tribute to Cash and his wife, who had been close friends of John and Michele Rollins for many years.
"It is a special honour to name the camp in memory of June Cash, because she and Johnny have been such great friends to us over the years," Mrs. Rollins, stated at the camp's closing ceremony, which saw all the participants being presented with certificates. "We truly value their generosity, which has helped to make this village such a happy place for the kids."
