On a brisk Saturday afternoon in Calgary, the city’s Pixel Park pulsed with the rhythms of reggae and the warmth of community spirit, even as temperatures dipped and parkas were zipped tight. The occasion? The Parka Party, a vibrant outdoor concert and dance event held on November 8, 2025, with a singular purpose: raising relief funds for Jamaica, still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.
From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., the park was transformed by the sounds and colors of the Jamaican diaspora, many of whom have family and close friends directly affected by the hurricane’s wrath. Event organizer Zia Stolbie, herself deeply connected to Jamaica, explained the motivation behind the gathering. “There are some great organizations that have been doing the good work, for all the devastation in Jamaica,” Stolbie told the Calgary Herald. “All the participants of Parka Party are from the Jamaican diaspora with a lot of family members and close contacts there that have lost a lot. So, we’re doing that in support of Western Canada.”
Stolbie’s vision was not just about raising money, but also about bridging distances—both geographical and emotional. “Being that Calgary is cold and getting colder, I wanted to bring the Jamaican vibe of island warmth to Calgary, and have us share and face the elements together,” she said. Attendees bundled up in warming attire, sipped hot drinks, and moved to the beat, all while keeping Jamaica in their hearts. The proceeds from the Parka Party were earmarked for grassroots organizations in Jamaica—groups working on the ground to deliver food, medical supplies, and support to those hit hardest by the storm. “I have organized people that are doing food initiatives to bring food and medical supplies to folks that are experiencing devastation out there,” Stolbie shared. “I’ve got queer Jamaicans, which are the most vulnerable group to support, and I’ve got other grassroots organizations that are just doing a multitude of different things, cooking meals. Basically whatever resonates for people to donate to and is close to their heart. I have organized a list of organizations that basically will go directly in the hands of Jamaicans.”
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 juggernaut, had left a trail of destruction across Jamaica just weeks before. According to WGN, the storm ripped the roofs off 120,000 homes and affected 600,000 people, forcing many into emergency shelters. The western side of the island was buried under nearly 5 million tons of debris, with roads still flooded and power lines down, making relief efforts a logistical nightmare. For many, the hurricane was over in a matter of hours, but the aftermath has stretched on for months, with entire communities still struggling to recover basic services and rebuild their lives.
In the midst of these daunting challenges, international support has come from unexpected quarters. Nancy Economou, a determined woman from Downers Grove, Illinois, has spent the past decade lighting up the world—literally. As founder of Watts of Love, Economou’s mission is to bring solar-powered lights to communities left in the dark by poverty or disaster. Now, her focus has turned to Jamaica, where the need is urgent and the obstacles are formidable.
“Specifically with Jamaica, we will partner with local teams that are getting into the most remote areas,” Economou explained to WGN. Her organization’s solar-powered lights, designed to last up to 10 years, are a lifeline for families still without electricity. These lights can be worn on a lanyard, hung as floodlights, or strapped around the head for hands-free use—critical for people navigating debris-strewn homes and dangerous conditions after dark. Watts of Love is targeting Jamaica’s most vulnerable, including 500 deaf families and many elderly, handicapped, and single mothers. “We know that our product is needed, especially for the elderly, the handicapped and single mothers, making sure they are safe and able to start rebuilding their life,” Economou said.
The impact of a simple solar light goes far beyond illumination. Families no longer have to rely on hazardous kerosene lamps or spend precious money on batteries. “That’s allowing families now to start saving their money, buying a chicken, reinvesting in education for their children,” Economou noted. Since its founding, Watts of Love has brought light to more than 260,000 homes in 54 countries, but the mission in Jamaica has taken on a new urgency as flooding and landslides continue to hamper traditional aid efforts.
Meanwhile, support has also poured in from the world of entertainment. On November 2, 2025, Los Angeles’ Kenneth Hahn Park played host to BreatheGood, a wellness event organized by WalkGood LA and powered by Beyoncé’s BeyGood Foundation. Hundreds of Angelenos gathered for guided meditations, yoga sessions, and wellness workshops—all in the name of raising nearly $150,000 for the Jamaica Hurricane Relief Fund, according to USC Annenberg Media.
The event was especially meaningful for WalkGood LA’s co-founder Etienne Maurice. “It’s special because we’re collaborating with BeyGOOD, founded by Beyoncé — and today’s proceeds are going toward our WalkGood Jamaica Hurricane Relief Fund,” Maurice said. “Because we’re of Jamaican heritage, it was imperative for us to step up — to acknowledge those affected and remind them they’re not alone.” The sense of solidarity was palpable, as Allana Barefield, Digital Editorial Content Manager for BeyGood, addressed the crowd: “Beyoncé is so much more than her artistry. Her heart is in giving back. Today we invited our fire-relief grantees and small-business partners to be part of this moment because being good means uplifting those around you.”
It’s a sentiment that resonates far beyond celebrity philanthropy. As Jamaica faces the long road to recovery, these grassroots and global efforts are helping to fill the gaps left by government and large NGOs. Funds from the Parka Party in Calgary are being funneled directly to organizations working on the ground, including those supporting queer Jamaicans—among the island’s most vulnerable. Watts of Love’s solar lights are reaching families in remote areas still cut off from the grid, and Beyoncé’s BeyGood Foundation is leveraging star power to keep the world’s attention—and resources—focused on the crisis.
For those on the receiving end, the aid is more than just material support. It’s a reminder that, even as headlines fade and the next disaster dominates the news cycle, they are not forgotten. As Stolbie put it, the Parka Party was about “bringing the Jamaican vibe of island warmth to Calgary, and have us share and face the elements together.” For Economou, it’s about “making sure they are safe and able to start rebuilding their life.” And for the BeyGood team, it’s about “uplifting those around you.”
As winter settles over Calgary and the Caribbean sun tries to break through the clouds of disaster, the ties between communities—woven through music, light, and shared purpose—shine brighter than ever.
