'Get Mad' dancers in action.

Kayana Blake does sign language during Passagefort's Youth Club awards ceremony at the Passagefort Community Centre recently. The club which is celebrating its second year of existence took the opportunity to honour a number of Government workers that served them throughout the years.

NSWMA Garbage Collector, Tyrone Smith (right), receives a certificate of appreciation.

Passagefort Youth Club, in recognition of their second anniversary, honoured Government workers that have served the community over the years.

Eight persons were to be honoured, that is, four garbage collectors, three street sweepers and a postman, but only four were present.

Those in attendance were Garbage collectors, Tyrone Smith, Henry Bailey, and Donovan Tate, and street sweeper Gloria Glandville, all of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).

Tyrone Smith, who is with the NSWMA for 10 years, was gratified with the token of appreciation. "I can't even tell you how I feel right now. These people really look out for us and we thank them for their kindness," Smith said. He recalled whenever he is collecting garbage in Passagefort there are kind residents who come out with a glass of lemonade to cool them down in the heat of the sun.

One of the co-ordinators of the Youth Club Barbara Kerr, told THE PORTMORE STAR that the overseers of the club have been working tirelessly with the youths of their community, trying to "channel their energies positively". She added that the youth club activities act as a deterrent and as such prevent them from "going on the streets to be caught in violence."

The club has a very active outreach programme which includes visits to the Spanish Town Hospital, mainly during Christmas, to give people holiday cheers, and bringing gifts to the elderly at golden age homes.

In addition to the awards, the small gathering was treated to entertainment from members of the club and guest performers.

Alia Campbell and Klinique Brown turned back the hands of time, dancing to Gloria Gaynor's 'I will Survive', while the audience got a belly full of laughs from poets Bianca Tomlinson reciting Whitburn Bryan-Brown's 'Bling Bling' and Carlene Darby's original piece: 'Mi wah come back a yaad'. Others entertained in dance and music.

Member of Parliament for the area, Colin Fagan, gave greetings, while, Mayor of Portmore, Keith Hinds gave the keynote address. Mr. Hinds gave the youth club a refurbished computer after he made his address. He mentioned that he will be helping the club with some of its needs.<