During the past ten years Jamaicans in South Florida have kept abreast of news from the island through the joint efforts of Jamaican national, Don Daly of CRI Communications in Miami and Jamaican television stations CVM Television (CVM-TV) and Television Jamaica Limited (TVJ).
On Saturday, April 23, this partnership was celebrated with an awards ceremony at the German American Social Club in Kendall, Miami.
The event was held to commemorate ten years of Caribbean weekday news and sports which is aired at 6 a.m., on PAX-TV35 and viewed by a large audience throughout the tri-county region of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.
Statistics provided by Garth Rose & Associates, a South Florida consulting firm, shows that the daily news broadcast receives an audience share of approximately 80% of 600,000 persons of the English-speaking population in the region who tune in daily to the news broadcast before switching channels to regular television. Approximately 350,000 of this audience are Jamaican nationals.
Daly stated that the project was initiated in April 1995, as the Jamaican communities throughout South Florida continued to grow. “There was a real chance to connect nationals to their island home through the news.” Daly also remarked that the news has elicited tremendous response from the community when there is an unfortunate circumstance in Jamaica. “When families or individuals are affected by an incident our office is overwhelmed with calls as persons are eager to find out how they can help in those situations.”
In expressing appreciation to his supporters, Daly mentioned media mogul, Gary Allen, director of operations at the RJR Group who was instrumental in the initiation of the news broadcast, as well as Derrick Reckord of Grace Kennedy who helped to make the transition of the news from radio to television. Regarding expansion of the broadcast to other largely Jamaican-populated communities throughout Florida and the southeast USA, Daly pointed out that he would look into those areas as the need arises.
Since 1987, Daly has also been host of a weekly radio program on WVCG-AM Radio in South Florida. Besides his broadcasting career, Daly is also known throughout South Florida for his humanitarian efforts and community activism. Through his company, CRI Communications, he has dedicated himself to serving the entire Caribbean community particularly Jamaicans in this area. He continues to provide information on government policies and programs affecting the Caribbean nationals through regular town hall forums.
For the past five years Daly has also provided medical assistance to thousands of Jamaicans in several parishes throughout the island, through an annual medical mission comprised of nearly 90 medical practitioners.
At Saturday’s event Daly was the recipient of two awards from the Florida State Senate and State Department for his outstanding efforts in communication and community service.
Senator Larcenia Bullard of Florida State Senate presented a citizen’s award to Daly while Florida State Representative Edward Bullard presented a proclamation honoring him. Daly was also the recipient of other proclamations from Ms. Winsome Charlton of Hi-Class Promotions and Trophy City. Several awards were presented to companies and individuals for their ongoing support and partnership in serving the Caribbean nationals particularly Jamaicans.
Individual recipients included the Hon. Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart for his continued support of Caribbean communities internationally. Also being honored for community support were Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips; former general manager of Victoria Mutual Building Society, Mr. Ronald Graham; and West Indian cricketers, Messrs. Lance Gibbs and Lawrence Rowe.
Among the advertisers and sponsors receiving awards were Grace Kennedy, Air Jamaica Limited, Air Jamaica Cargo, Western Union, Jamaica National Building Society, Victoria Mutual, Sandals Resorts, Jamaican Reservation Services (JRS Tours), Bill Armstrong Motors, Jamaica Groceries & Spices, Island Delite, and Sango’s Restaurant. Others included offices of Dr. John Williams, M.D., Dr. Fidel Goldson, and Janet & Ruddy Davis.
