COJO Gives To Haiti

Published: Monday | June 7, 2010

New York-based Jamaican charity, Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Inc recently presented US$10,000 to NEGES Foundation, Inc, which represents proceeds raised from its special raffle launched in March to benefit children in Haiti.

NEGES Foundation's co-founder Marie Yoleine Gateau, who was on hand to accept the donation, thanked COJO for selecting the foundation as beneficiary, adding that the proceeds would assist in staging its annual summer camp in Leogane, Haiti, where its projects are focused.

Consul General of Jamaica Geneive Brown Metzger, in bringing greetings at the presenta-tion and raffle draw, lauded the work of COJO and its founder Gary Williams for his vision and this latest initiative which saw the organisation reaching across the Jamaican borders to help its Caribbean neighbours in Haiti.

Vice-Consul at the Haitian Consulate Stephane Etienne and James Richmond, special assistant to New York City council member, Dr Mathieu Eugene, also had high praises for COJO and its work to enhance the quality of life for children not only in Jamaica and in the United States, but now those in Haiti.

The ceremony, held at The Door Restaurant in Queens, saw the official raffle draw and the winners being announced. The grand prize of a seven-day/six-night all-inclusive stay for two at any Breezes Resort in Jamaica was won by Marlene King, while Ann-Marie Hall copped the second prize of a five-day/four-night all-inclusive stay for two at any Breezes Resort in Jamaica with the third prize of a four-day/three-night all-inclusive stay for two at any Sandals Resort in Jamaica going to Claudette Simpson. All prize winners received travel certificates, courtesy of JetBlue Airways.

Williams thanked all who helped to make the benefit raffle a success, enabling the organisation to meet its target.

"We commend the work that NEGES Foundation has been doing to help children in Haiti and we are happy COJO can assist in this small way to support their efforts," noted Williams.

For more than a decade, the volunteer-driven organisation has supported a number of institutions in Jamaica, as well as the United States.

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