New
York based Jamaican Charity Children Of Jamaica Outreach(COJO) host
Annual Scholarship Gala on World Aids Day
Jamaica AIDS
Support For Life Annual Drive “Project Smiles” Among This
Year’s Beneficiaries
NEW YORK, NY -
October 29, 2007 – On Saturday, December 1, 2007 the New York
based Jamaican charity Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Inc. will
hold its 13th Annual Scholarship Gala at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, LaGuardia
Airport at 8:00 pm. This year’s gala coincides with World AIDS
Day and to this end, COJO has selected Jamaica AIDS Support for Life
and in particular “Project Smiles” as one of its benefactors
this year.
Project Smiles,
operated by Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, is a programme aimed at
supporting children who are infected or affected by HIV. While the
programme seeks to compliment the Orphans and Children made Vulnerable
by HIV Programme (OVC), it goes beyond the customary approach by seeking
support for the overall wellness of children.
Founder and Chairman
of COJO Gary Williams sees the partnership as significant adding that
it builds on the organization’s commitment to positively impact
the future – our children. COJO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
in New York, whose mission is to help improve the health, education
and general well being of underprivileged children.
Over the past decade, the volunteer-driven organization has supported
a number of institutions in Jamaica and the United States. Among them
are the Alpha Boys’ Home; Glenhope Place of Safety; Marigold
Child Care Centre, Musgrave Girls’ Home and City of Refuge in
Jamaica; and in New York, the Jamaica, Queens YMCA and Leaf of Life.
Jamaica AIDS Support
for Life Board Chairman Ian McKnight welcomes the support of COJO
for “Project Smiles,” noting that while the activities are
usually scaled up during the month of December, the programme operates
all year to assist in the provision of school supplies, clothing and
other items. The theme of World AIDS Day this year is “Leadership,”
and while lauding COJO on its community leadership, Mr. McKnight,
stressed that a commitment will be sought at the highest level and
from various sector leaders to effectively address the issue of HIV/AIDS.
A number of corporate entities include jetBlue and Virgin Atlantic
Airways have donated airline tickets as raffle prizes, with Sandals
Resorts International and other Jamaican properties providing hotel
accommodation.
Tickets for the
annual gala are on sale now and can be obtained by contacting the
Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) office at 1-888- 275-0121.
Support COJO and
help put a smile on a child’s face. For further information about
COJO including sponsorship opportunities, visit www.cojokids.org.
Online donations are now being accepted.
