Residents of various communities in Portmore joined hands and heart to clean up, beautify and build their communities during Labour Day that went under the theme 'Step forward and make Jamaica beautiful'.

Mayor of Portmore George Lee, who was spotted at a Labour Bay project led by businessman Lester 'Father Ken' Crooks to clean a drain and open land in front of the Bridgeport community, was pleased with the day's projects in Portmore. The volunteers were from Ken's Wildflower Community Sports Club.

"I'm happy with what I have seen. I have seen a spirit of volunteerism and community spirit that I have not seen for a long time now. There were over 80 registered projects, however, I have seen others that have not been registered taking it past 100 projects," Mayor Lee said. "What we want to see at the council is a more cleaner and beautiful Portmore. Our work will not stop here, we will continue our beautification projects until the end of July, just in time for Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence."

At the Portmore Pines' Cashew Park, the citizens' association cleared debris from the park, planted trees, repainted a building and started construction of a bathroom.

In Naggo Head, councillor for Greater Portmore North division, Michael Edwards, assisted in the clearing of a drain in an area called West Bank. There were other projects in sections of Bridgeport and at Sector F, Edgewater, where the Portmore Missionary Church received a facelift and also in a community called Clifton.

While some were busy cleaning others were busy building partnerships and friendships with the staging of the Portmore Ballers six-a-side tournament at the open lot between Independence City, Caymanas Gardens and Surrey Meadows.