US-based Jamaican charity marks 15 years

Published: Monday | November 23, 2009

( l - r ) Nettleford, Williams

New York-based Jamaican charity Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Inc will this year celebrate its 15th anniversary at the organisation's annual scholarship gala next month.

Professor Rex Nettleford, vice-chancellor emeritus of the University of the West Indies, will be special guest at the ceremony, which takes place on December 5 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, LaGuardia Airport.

"The much-decorated Jamaican-born Nettleford, a Rhodes Scholar (Oxford University, London) and vice-chancellor emeritus of the University of the West Indies, has won much acclaim for his work in academia, the arts and culture," COJO said in a release. "He is credited with increasing global understanding and appreciation of Caribbean culture and identity."

Significant milestone

The 2009 COJO gala dinner, being held under the patronage of Jamaica's ambassador to the United States, Anthony Johnson, marks a significant milestone for the organisation which was established in 1994.

The organisation said it would be recognising the contributions to its efforts by a number of individuals and organisations, including JetBlue Airways, Tower Isle Frozen Foods, Sandals Resorts International Chairman, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, and Raglan George Jr, executive director of District Council 1707.

The Annual Scholarship Gala is COJO's major fund-raiser held on the first Saturday in December each year; proceeds from which are used to provide scholarships and support for deserving students and Jamaican childcare institutionsin need.

For more than a decade, the volunteer-driven organisation 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, City of Refuge and Summerfield Boys Home in Jamaica, and in New York, the Jamaica, Queens YMCA and Leaf of Life.

Heartening

Gary Williams, founder and chairman of COJO, said: "Despite the challenging economic times, it is heartening to see companies and individuals still making a contribution towards enhancing the future - our children."

He added: "In an effort to further its mission, COJO will seek to further utilise the technology in years to come and embrace social media as part of its fund-raising strategy."

A number of corporate entities, including JetBlue, have donated airline tickets as raffle prizes with The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, Iberostar Rose Hall, Point Village, Grand Palladium, Sandals and other Jamaican properties providing hotel accommodation.

About Children of Jamaica Outreach

Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation in New York and is registered with the New York City Bureau of Charities.

The brainchild of Jamaican-born American, Gary Williams, COJO's mission is to help improve the health, education and general well-being of less fortunate children.

Since inception in 1994, COJO has dedicated its resources, human and financial, to help make a difference in the lives of underserved children in Jamaica, as well as the United States of America.

For further information about COJO, including sponsorship opportunities, visit www.cojokids.org.

Tickets for the annual gala are now on sale and can be obtained by contacting the Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) office at 1-888-275-0121.

' ... it is heartening to see companies and individuals still making a contribution towards enhancing the future - our children.'

- Gary Williams, COJO chairman