At Left: Earl Jarrett (left), general manager, Jamaica National Building Society Group of Companies, shares some time with Oliver F. Clarke, chairman of the Gleaner Company Limited, at last weekend's gala in Florida.
At Right: Former heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis (left), with Ambassador Glenn Holden (centre), chairman of American Friends of Jamaica, and Kamal Hotchandani, a guest at the gala. - CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
IT WAS a truly elegant affair, when on April 1, South Florida society stepped out in style and on to the red carpet to welcome the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) for their second annual black tie gala and auction at the beautiful Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.
Among the 350 guests in attendance were United States and Jamaican diplomats, businessmen/women and South Florida's Jamaican society.
The AFJ was celebrating its 25th year of philanthropy for the benefit of Jamaican charities. The gala featured a reception and dinner with an auction of items ranging from luxurious Caribbean packages to fine art.
The MCs for the night were Neki Mohan of WPLG (ABC) News and attorney Marlon Hill of Delancy Hill, P.A. Entertainment for the night was provided by the popular Mighty Vikings Band.
Each year the AFJ raises funds in the United States and distributes them to Jamaican institutions.
Organisations benefiting from last year's fund-raising included the University of the West Indies, the Jamaica Society for the Blind, Mona Rehabilitation Foundation, the MoBay Hope Medical Centre and 11 other non-profit groups.
MILLIONS IN GRANTS
Since its inception, over 60 Jamaican organisations have received grants totalling over $10 million in cash and kind.
This year AFJ recognised the humanitarian efforts of Hon. Oliver F. Clarke, O.J., chairman and managing director of the Gleaner Company Limited, and Diageo - the world's leading premium drinks business and producer of Jamaica's Red Stripe Beer.
Mr. Clarke's accomplishment were highlighted. Not only is he chairman and managing director of the Gleaner Company Limited, but the president of the Commonwealth Press Union, chairman of the Jamaica National Building Society, director of the Independent Radio Company and Caribbean Media Corporation.
In 2004, he was made a Caribbean Luminary of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies for his work both in the Caribbean and internationally. In 1998, he was awarded the Order of Jamaica and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) in 1997.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Clarke said he was honoured by the award and that the organisation is doing a wonderful job. He thanked all the business people for supporting Jamaica and said, "If it were not for these people, Jamaica would not be what it is today."
