NEW YORK – New York based Jamaican charity, Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Inc. is pleased to announce the strengthening of its philanthropic partnership with JetBlue Airways. COJO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in New York, whose mission is to help improve the health, education and general well being of underprivileged children.
Through the alliance, COJO will provide an opportunity for JetBlue Airways to connect with the Jamaican and Caribbean community, given the commencement of service by the value airline to the Caribbean island in May, with daily flights to Montego Bay. JetBlue will launch service to the island’s capital city, Kingston on Friday, October 30.
COJO Founder and Chairman Gary M. Williams notes that while the contributions of a number of corporations have been impacted as a result of the current economic challenges, JetBlue has sought to increase its support. According to Mr. Williams: “If we fail to take care of our children, there will be no future for us. Any opportunity to help our children is a worthwhile investment, and we thank our many donors including JetBlue for demonstrating its corporate social responsibility and helping in nation building.”
“JetBlue has been a supporter of COJO for almost a decade and there’s no question about the importance of securing a brighter future for our children,” said Icema Gibbs, director corporate social responsibility for JetBlue Airways. “Just by enhancing the quality of life for one child, we can help make the world a better place.”
For more than a decade, the volunteer-driven organization has supported a number of institutions in Jamaica as well as the United States. Among them, the Alpha Boys’ Home, Glenhope Place of Safety, Marigold Child Care Centre, City of Refuge, St. Augustine Place of Safety for Boys, Musgrave Girls’ Home in Jamaica; and in New York, the Jamaica, Queens YMCA and Leaf of Life.
Proceeds raised from COJO’s Annual Scholarship Gala each December in New York helps the organization fulfill its mission. Lucky patrons attending COJO’s 15th anniversary gala on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza LaGuardia Hotel in New York City will have an opportunity to win tickets to any destination JetBlue serves, including Jamaica.
