Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter

Directors of the Jamaica Committee, the organising body for the Pineapple Ball, (from left) Moyra Fitzroy, Jacky Shepherd, her son Adam, and Tanya Roberts, let their hair down on the balcony of the White Witch Club House, in Rose Hall, St. James, following a disbursement exercise which saw them donating over $3 million to charity. - Photos by Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Tea, scones and lots of money were the order of the day at the White Witch Club House in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, on July 12, where the Jamaica Committee, the organising body for the annual Pineapple Ball, disbursed more than $3 million dollars in cheques to charity.

A small ceremony, hosted some 1,000 feet above sea level overlooking some the island’s finest golf courses, the disbursement exercise was reminiscent of an old English tea party complete with pound cake, scones and clotted cream as guests, some of them travelling from as far as Kingston, chatted heartily over their hot beverages.

A United States not-for-profit organisation comprised of Jamaicans and persons who love Jamaica, the Jamaica Committee has been contributing to educational and social welfare of the country, from funds raised through its annual ball, since its inception seven years ago. Last year they outdid themselves; between the ticket sales and the silent auction, the group raised $3,075,300 for charity.

Thirteen groups benefited

‘Well done and thank you.’ Jamaica Committee director Moyra Fitzroy (left) receives a hug from former colleague, Principal of the Westwood High School, Eileen Piggott, following the organisation’s fund disbursement exercise.

Thirteen schools and charities from across the island received assistance from the funds. The committee has also added a new component to its programme to include an award for excellence.

“This year, for the first time we have started out by offering a scholarship in excellence. We have chosen The Ritz-Carlton Golf and Spa Resort. This award is going to the excellence in the field of hospitality. The awardee is Ann Marie Rose. She was recommended by the hotel,” said director Moyra Fitzroy.

She added: “We believe that you have to make a difference here to give back as much as you can to Jamaica before you maybe try opportunities overseas. For all our scholarships we ask that all awardees stay back for at least three years to build the country.”

Promise

Chosen from a field of 12 persons, Rose, who is a pastry chef at the Ritz-Carlton, expressed her gratitude and promised to work hard and maintain a place within the top-five persons in her class. The scholarship will pay for her expenses at the Runaway Bay HEART Academy in St. Ann.

Other recipients were: Jamaica Epilepsy Association Indigent Fund; Maxfield Park Children’s Home – education needs; Edna Manley School of Art – scholarship for Diploma programme; Northgate Family Church Children’s Development Initiative; Peace and Love in Society (PALS) – education needs; SOS Village Rose Hall – building fund; University of the West Indies – two-year Bachelor of Education programme; Westwood High School – four years boarding and tuition fees; Wise Women’s Club scholarship fund; Optimist Club of Rose Hall Children of Faith Programme; HEART Academy Runaway Bay, – level three scholarship in hotel training; Expanding Education Horizons Mathematics Library and Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College.

The next Pineapple Ball 2007 is scheduled for November 3, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, in Montego Bay.