When Orville 'Shaggy' Burrell was accepting the Gleaner Honour Award for excellence in the category of voluntary service, tears appeared to be forming as the citation was being read.

Well, maybe it was just the flash of the camera. Whatever it was, Shaggy, the multiplatinum-selling artiste, was grateful that his philanthropic work through the Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation was being recognised.

"It's a special feeling, you know. It is for the philanthropic work and not the music," he said. "Normally, we're used to getting awards and stuff like that for musical achievements, but for this, it becomes more special because it is a team effort."

The award is also symbolic as the international artiste has had a long relationship with The Gleaner where he used to "run up and down in the hallways when I was a kid, as my mother used to work there".

Yearly connection

Shaggy's volunteer work, which has received much publicity, has changed the range and scope of celebrity charity in Jamaica. While entertainers have been giving back to Jamaica for many years, Shaggy, who launched his second 'Dare to Care' concert on Wednesday, has been known locally for his yearly connection to the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston. He, however, stepped it up a notch with his first 'Dare to Care' concert, which raised $27 million. This work has allowed the country's only specialised children's medical facility the wherewithal to purchase much-needed equipment, which has saved lives.

In a parting comment, Shaggy said he wants other entertainers to contribute more positively to the society.

"I think the Jamaican artistes and entertainers have an incredible amount of influence on the Jamaican public, even more so than the politician. I think the politicians need to put a lot more focus on the artistes, and the artistes need to take a little bit more responsibility and chart the people in a general direction."