MIAMI – Six Jamaican nationals were honoured at the third annual Community Service Awards ceremony and Tea Party held on Sunday (Apr.19) at the Parrot Jungle Island in Miami.
Recognized for their outstanding contributions and achievement in the South Florida Diaspora and also to Jamaica, in the fields of philanthropy, community service, Diaspora and Consular service, business enterprise and social development, public service and youth leadership and scholastic achievement.
The recipients were honored for their outstanding contributions and achievements included:
– Mrs. Marie Buteau, President of the Good Shepherd Foundation of South Florida in the area of philanthropy
– Mrs. Kaye Chong, Community Relations Manager of Air Jamaica Limited and founder of the Air Jamaica Kids’ Club for community service; retired Honorary Consul for the Cayman Islands
– Captain Robert Hamaty for Diaspora and Consular Service;
– George Yap, Chief Executive Officer and entrepreneur of LEASA Industries for business and social development,
– Hon. Hazelle Rogers, State Representative in the Florida State House of Representatives for public service
– John-Henry Marley for scholastic achievement and youth leadership
In addition, for the first time, an award was presented to a community-based organization with an active charitable programme. This year, that institutional award was presented to the Friends of Good Shepherd Mobay, Incorporated (FOGS) in direct relation to the charitable support provided by the Friends of Good Shepherd Foundation to those affected with HIV/AIDS at the Hope Hospice in Albion, Montego Bay. The Hospice is dedicated to HIV/AIDS education and intervention projects.
Guest of honor, Ms. Sheryl Lee Ralph, renowned Jamaican born actress and philanthropist, told the audience of more than 300 Jamaican nationals and friends that it was time to for all to take personal responsibility and begin to pay attention to the rate at which the disease HIV/AIDS was affecting our communities.
Founder of the DIVA (AIDS) Foundation, a national non-profit organization created to bring awareness to the prevention of the disease, Ms. Ralph said that we must embrace change and begin to work together in an effort to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. Describing it as a ‘people’s disease’ she emphasized that “too often we say it’s them. But we are the people,” she continued.
Citing ways in which we could work together, the internationally known AIDS activist spoke of her recent trip to Durban, South Africa where she “started a conversation with women” discussing with them how they could be empowered to more meaningful ways even though their lives were affected by the disease.
As a show of solidarity, Ms. Ralph displayed her jeweled accessories, a string of beads, which she said was a gift produced by those women whom she encountered, during her recent visit to the African continent, demonstrating their effort to means of economic independence.
Reminding her audience of her Jamaican heritage, the ‘Diva’ surprised and captivated them with a trail of traditional folk songs.
In her welcome remarks, Consul General Sandra Griffiths congratulated the awardees stating that through their philanthropic efforts and community building, they were making a difference in someone else’s life.
Reminding the community of the value of service and the sacrifice outside of self, the Consul General announced that the Consulate has added permanently, a charitable dimension to the annual event, for which a generous support will be sought. The program would identify and recognize a community-based organization with meaningful focus on philanthropic work. Hence, this year’s charitable focus was the effort to fight HIV/AIDS.
Pointing to the activism of the guest of honor, through her DIVA Foundation, and that of her husband, Pennsylvania State Senator, Vincent Hughes, who accompanied his wife to the event, Mrs. Griffiths said that their work is based on the ethic of giving back, and of making a difference – creating safer, healthier communities, particularly African American communities.
She encouraged the audience to follow suit, finding ways and means to assist worthy causes, as “giving back to society is a wonderful way of being empowered.” According to the Consul General, “we must nurture the flame of service to community above self” for the survival of our communities in Jamaica and the United States, and the continued development of our people, she added.
Proceeds generated from the charitable intervention arising from the evening’s proceedings is expected to go towards the DIVA Foundation and the Friends of Good Shepherd Foundation, Hope Hospice in Albion, St. James.
Musical renditions were provided by the Libido Band, and Tallawah Mento Band, both South Florida based, Jamaican guitarist, Ms. Charmaine Limonius and Deacon Leonard Clarke. Bishop of Montego Bay, the Most Rev. Charles Dufour, O.D. gave the invocation, while the evening’s program was emceed by Dr. Bridgette Waldemar.
