Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

President of the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) ambassador (ret.) Glen Holden (centre, back row), U.S. Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson (centre, front row) and Keisha Phipps, executive director of the AFJ (right), with represetatitves of charities in the health sector. They are (from second left) Carla Francis-Eady of Maxfield Park Children's Home; Gwendolyn Woodit of Garland Hall Children's home; David Wilson of FISH; Judith Farmar of MoBay Hope; Lady Golding of the Sir John Golding Rehab Centre; Nadina Laughlin of the Rotary Club of Port Antonio, and Grace Duncan of the Jamaica Association for Mental Retardation. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Yesterday, 21 organisations received funds from the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) to augment their service to the youth, the sick and those in need of a helping hand. The presentations were made at the United States Ambassador's Long Lane, Stony Hill residence, in St. Andrew.

The AFJ has for 25 years used the proceeds from its fund-raising gala events to donate to worthwhile causes here. The latest such event was the third annual South Florida Gala and Auction christened, The Peacock Ball, which was held at Ritz-Carlton, in Miami, recently. The group also receives donations from corporate partnerships and individuals.

At the very beginning of the event, 11-year-old Brian Royes of Hillel Academy thrilled the gathering with two soulful renditions. The reigning Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's children's gospel winner performed Daystar and One Moment In Time. So moving was his short performance, he received a standing ovation before rushing back to school.

Welcoming heat

Former United States Ambassador (ret.) to Jamaica Glen Holden joked that it was always great to be back in the island's welcoming heat. The Ambassador has remained a friend to the island and with wife, Gloria, trusty deputy Lacey Wright, and other board members in attendance, Ambassador Holden, who is the president of the AFJ and Keisha Phipps, executive director of the organisation, then had the pleasure of handing over the cheques to the needy charities. The awards were presented by the three sectors that the AFJ supports - education, health, and human and economic development.

The AFJ is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting Jamaican charitable organisations and social initiatives attempting to improve lives.