MIAMI – The Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) has been selected as the 2010 recipient of the Hummingbird Award for International Achievement by the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ).
The building society was recognised for its exemplary contributions to the island of Jamaica in the areas of education, healthcare and economic development, and in strengthening the bonds of friendship between the United States of America and Jamaica.
The AFJ, a non-profit organisation led by former USA Ambassador to Jamaica, Sue Cobb, assists Jamaican charities in the areas of education, healthcare as well as human and economic development.
Earl Jarrett, General Manager of JNBS, in accepting the award at the AFJ’s 6th Annual Peacock Gala at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida on Saturday, May 22, stated that: “Our Society is moved that our work in these areas to advance the quality of life of Jamaicans, at home and abroad, has been acknowledged in this manner,” adding, “We remain committed to being a vehicle for social change and advancement, to benefit all Jamaicans.”
The organisation, he said, was aware of its corporate responsibility to support initiatives and programmes that assist Jamaicans and enhance the development of Jamaica.
Mr Jarrett added that Jamaica National has worked hard over its 136 years of existence to make a significant contribution to help transform the lives of the people of Jamaica, particularly in rural and inner city communities.
“We have sought to play an integral role in stimulating the building of social capital in our country; and have influenced sustained national development in several sectors, especially in the area of housing and shelter, and micro and small businesses development as an agent for transformation,” he stated.
Among those in attendance were three former Ambassadors to Jamaica –Brenda LaGrange Johnson, Michael Sotirhos, and J Gary Cooper and Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.
Past AFJ honourees include Hon. Oliver F. Clarke, Managing Director of The Gleaner Company and Chairman of JNBS; Michele Rollins, Philanthropist and President of Rollins Jamaica Ltd; Father Richard Ho Lung, Founder of Missionaries of the Poor;; and Food for the Poor poverty relief organization.
Photo Gallery
Strong Jamaican Alliance: From left: Earl Jarrett JNBS GM, Ambassador Sue Cobb AFJ president; Sandra Grant-Griffiths Jamaican Consul General to the Southern United States; Carmen Bartlett, head of JN Overseas, (USA) Florida; and Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Tourism Minister.
