The
Star Of Queens - Gary Williams Feature In Queens Courier
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Gary Williams founded and heads Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO),
a not-for-profit organization that collects money for under-privileged
children in both Queens and the island of Jamaica. The 13-year-old
group also supports the YMCA of Jamaica on Parsons Boulevard and the
YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign, which raises money to provide scholarships
and program subsidies to keep the Y open for city youth. Williams
reaches out to companies such as American Airlines and The Estee Lauder
Companies Inc. for funding and hosts a yearly dinner in December to
collect donations. Recently, he collected money to pay for the surgery
of a Jamaican girl who had a rare disorder whom he read about in a
local paper.
PERSONAL: Williams,
42, was born in Jamaica and has lived in Queens for 19 years. His
parents live in London and his grandparents are in Brooklyn. Williams
worked for a few major airlines before devoting himself to COJO full-time.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE:
Obtaining donations has become Williams’ biggest challenge. “There’s
a recession now, and people are holding off on giving,” he said.
“It’s not as easy as it was before. Everyone is cutting
back.” He added that even their yearly auctions have suffered
because of the bad financial conditions.
PROUDEST MOMENT: “My proudest moment is being able to help these
kids, whether its here in Queens, at the YMCA, or in Jamaica,”
he said. “To be able to give a scholarship to a kid, to make
a difference in a child’s life, it makes me proud, it brings
joy and happiness to me that I’m able to give back.”
INSPIRATION: “My inspiration is the kids,” Williams said.
“I remember one year I was able to take 12 wheelchairs to an
institution on the island of Jamaica for kids that are disabled. That
was a proud moment and an inspiration to see the kids telling me ‘thanks,’
hugging me, reading to me and giving me a gift of appreciation. They’re
both together, pride and inspiration.”
He added, “I’m proud I’m able to do this and give back
to the community. Kids bring such joy because they are innocent. When
you think of children, they’re not responsible for their situation,
they can’t be held responsible.”
— Stephen J. Bronner
Reprinted From: Queens Courier
http://www.queenscourier.com/articles/2008/07/11/news/stars/news07.txt
