COJO Gala A Big Success

Sunday | December 11, 2011
Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

NEW YORK: If you missed the 17th annual Children Of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Gala held at the La Guardia Plaza hotel in Queens, New York, on Saturday, December 3, then you would have missed a fantastic event.

Judging from all the fun that patrons had, it was evident Jamaicans living in the Big Apple know how to throw a great party while doing good.

Since the inception of COJO in 1994 by Gary Williams, a Jamaican living in the United States, the programme's purpose is to improve the lives of needy children in Jamaica and the United States. In an effort to improve these children's lives through education and health care, COJO hosts an annual fund-raiser gala. This year was no different, except friends of COJO make an effort to dig a little deeper in their pockets and as the organisation gets more recognition, more entities are inclined to offer their support.

It's the winter in the Big Apple, and despite the cold weather, patrons came out dressed to the nines in their coats, sporting fabulous gowns, high heels and dapper suits underneath. The evening began with cocktails and in true Jamaican style, patrons enjoyed some cocktail patties complemented by barbecue wings and assorted fruits.

Galas can be quite stuffy and boring but that was not so with the COJO event. People came out to have a good time and that is exactly what they did. MC Reverend Calvin McIntyre kept the room in stitches most of the night. The guest speaker, Ambassador Burchell Whiteman, gave a splendid speech. He pointed out a few key factors such as while Jamaica may be a small island, "we little but we tallawah". He also noted that Jamaica produces some of the finest people who have imprinted their talent on the world like our sports stars, making us the envy of others.

The night's formalities went by quickly so guests were not kept from enjoying the delicious dinner which included a lovely beet salad topped with toasted pistachios, salmon with mango and cantaloupe chutney, curried chicken breast complemented by some good ol' rice and peas. Many just couldn't wait for the sinfully delicious cheesecake with mango and wildberry purees and whipped cream.

There was also an award ceremony where director general in the Ministry of Tourism, Carrole Guntley, was rewarded for her continued support to COJO. Other honourees included Basil Higgins, who has volunteered with COJO since inception, Eric Miller, the president of the Brooklyn Bottling Company, and Western Union. After the formalities and dinner, the dance floor was opened up and patrons needed no cue cards to get funky on the floor. Epea Entertainment began with some disco music but by the time it went to calypso and some Jamaican oldies but goodies, it was serious business on the dance floor. Patrons showed off their dance skills and unlike the new practice in Jamaica where all the men dance in group while girls watch on that was not the case! Couples danced together and at times, you could see couples trying to outdo each other. People were having so much fun, they almost had to take a crowbar to pry them off the dance floor to end the event.

All in all everyone had a grand time and there were even mutters of, 'we can't wait till next year's event'.