The Downers – A Tradition of Benevolence

Tuesday | January 10, 2012

Legends of Excelsior
The Downers – A Tradition of Benevolence

By Duane Coombs

On the second day of Christmas, the Downer family cruised the streets of metropolitan Kingston bearing gifts: warm meals and clothing for the homeless who dot the streets of the capital city.

It is an annual Boxing Day act of charity, spanning more than 25 years, that this iconic Excelsior family has quietly engaged in—away from the public glare—for decades.

“We were never a rich family; far from it,” second daughter Gaynor Downer noted. “But our parents always instilled in us the value of sharing and giving back.”

The Boxing Day tradition started at the urging of matriarch Mrs. Alice Downer. Each year, every member of the family helps with all aspects of preparing and serving the meals.

During the 2011 Boxing Day activities, as the family’s three-car caravan weaved its way through back alleys, gullies, and bridges in Kingston, the clan handed out meals along the way to the destitute.

Later, as the family parked the vehicles near the Ward Theatre in downtown Kingston, a cluster of homeless citizens patiently waited in line to be served. The 301 meals served this year consisted of rice and peas, chicken, tossed salad, and macaroni and cheese, along with a slice of Christmas cake and a cold drink. To mark the 25 years, 200 commemorative T-shirts printed with the slogan “25 Years of Love” were distributed among the most vulnerable.

The Downers

Front (l–r): Hayley, Mrs. Downer, Mr. Downer, Gaynor, Caren & Goulda
Rear (l–r): Phillip, Karl, Paul, & Joel

If there is any hint of disappointment, according to the family, it is that the number of homeless individuals seems to be increasing with each passing year.

“I was struck by the quiet dignity of these people,” said eldest daughter Dr. Goulda Downer. She shared stories of the homeless offering portions of their meals to others, despite having so little themselves.

Until the story of the Downers’ generosity was first featured in the Jamaica Gleaner a year ago, few were aware of this remarkable family’s long history of benevolence. And that is how the family preferred it, because to them, charity should be its own quiet reward.

At firstborn Paul’s wedding 25 years ago, Mrs. Downer suggested that the family find a tangible and organized way to thank God and honour the next generation of Downers.

She proposed feeding the homeless, and although the magnitude of the undertaking initially gave some family members pause, they never looked back. Thus, the family’s Boxing Day tradition was born.

Their most recent Boxing Day outreach is only one of the many charitable initiatives the family supports with their own personal funds. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Alice and Noel Downer Scholarship Fund at Excelsior High School.

“The entire Downer family has been a tower of strength, a source of encouragement, support, and a lot of inspiration,” said an appreciative Randy McLaren, former Excelsior Head Boy and a recipient of one of the family’s scholarships.

The Downer family has deep roots at Excelsior, going back almost 40 years, with seven of the eight children having graduated from the high school. Additionally, patriarch Mr. Noel Downer served as President of the school’s PTA for 25 unbroken years, long after all his children had graduated.

All the children led well-rounded lives at school, balancing academic pursuits with participation in a variety of varsity activities.

Goulda, Gaynor, and Hayley played hockey for the school and later represented Jamaica in the sport. Joel was Head Boy in 1981, while his sister Caren served as Deputy Head Girl in 1984 and represented the school in netball. Phillip, Joel’s twin, played in the school band, while Karl, Caren’s twin, played cricket for the school. Sisters Goulda and Hayley also played netball for Excelsior.

In addition, twins Phillip and Joel were members of the cadet corps, and Gaynor later returned to volunteer her skills as a physiotherapist to the school’s Manning Cup football team in 1984, serving in that role for over 10 consecutive years.

The Downers view their commitment to helping the less fortunate as a sacred trust. Their remarkable story of kindness continues each Boxing Day as they share their blessings with those in need across Jamaica.

“There are people with real needs in Jamaica, and we will always try to help,” said Gaynor Downer. It is a pledge the family remains determined to keep.

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