George Nooks has never hid his affection for Estella Marshall, the strict grandmother whom he credits for instilling in him a sense of benevolence. 

That spirit led him to form a bond with the Golden Age Home in eastern Kingston, which he has adopted for his Christmas outreach since 2016. 

Despite restrictions of the Coronavirus, the singer maintained his goodwill this year, donating items for the senior citizens party. He also presented over 120 of them with gift packages. 

"I grow with my grandmother so I know what it is like when you are getting on in age. Even when you have kids, it's not a certainty they're going to take care of you," said Nooks. 

Morelene Moncrieffe, a supervisor at the Golden Age Home, praised Nooks for his annual gesture which she notes gives residents a lift during the festive season. 

"Over the years we look forward to this celebration. It impacts us in a positive way and shows someone out there cares," she said. 

Nooks grew up in rural St. Andrew parish in Jamaica where he also attended high school. In the mid-1970s he moved to Kingston to pursue a music career and for a period was part of producer Joe Gibbs' camp. 

Mentored by Dennis Brown, he had hit songs for Gibbs as a vocalist with "Tribal War" and Left With A Broken Heart". As deejay Prince Mohammed, he hit the charts with "Bubbling Love" and "Fortyleg Dread". 

For the past 20 years, Nooks has reinvented himself as a gospel singer with songs like "God is Standing By". His latest song is "He'll do it Again".

Written By Howard Campbell