Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica is the largest charity organization in Jamaica that provides relief in the areas of housing, food, medical, water, sanitation, education, agriculture, outreach and micro-enterprise.
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Food For The Poor Featured Three Times Within a Month on TVJ
Below are the links for the Food For The Poor's television coverage on TVJ's Ray of Hope
Monday, OCTOBER 8, 2012 - Food For The Poor / Social Development Commission House Building Project in Padmore:
http://www.televisionjamaica.com/Programmes/PrimeTimeNews.aspx/Videos/21361
Monday, October 15, 2012 - Santa Cruz Care Committee
http://www.televisionjamaica.com/Programmes/PrimeTimeNews.aspx/Videos/21517
Monday, October 29, 2012 - Official Opening of D. Frank’s Early Childhood Institute in Manchester built by Food For The Poor :
http://www.televisionjamaica.com/Programmes/PrimeTimeNews.aspx/Videos/21856
Portland Residents get Help Following Hurricane Sandy
An elderly Portland resident received post hurricane supplies from the YB Afraid Foundation and Food For The Poor. On Sunday, October 28, 2012 both organization partnered to distribute much needed relief supplies in the communities of Norwich and Fruitful Vale in Portland. Over 700 residents benefited from relief supplies. YB Afraid, Olympic medal winner Yohan Blake's foundation, made a monetary donation that was matched by Food For The Poor to assist families that were affected by Hurricane Sandy.
FFP, YB Afraid Foundation Respond to Residents in Portland Affected Hurricane Sandy
Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica team members prepare hurricane relief packages for distribution to the communities of Norwich and Fruitful Vale in Portland on Sunday, October 28, 2012. Following the passage of Hurricane Sandy, several residents in these communities were left homeless, while the property of others was severely damaged. FFP responded by distributing several hurricane relief supplies including food, clothing, blankets, mattresses, shoes, nutritional items and WATA. A total of 28 FFP staff members and volunteers participated in the distribution.
YB Afraid Foundation and Food For The Poor Assist Hurricane Sandy Victims in Jamaica
FOOD FOR THE POOR, INC.CONTACT: Jennifer Leigh Oates
Public Relations, FFP Inc.
(954)
427-2222 x 6054
jennifero@foodforthepoor.com Erica James-King
Communication Mgr., PROComm
(876) 564-5277
YB Afraid
Foundation and Food For The Poor Assist Hurricane Sandy Victims in Jamaica
COCONUT CREEK,
Florida. (Oct. 30, 2012) –
Hurricane Sandy victims in Fruitful Vale and Norwich in Portland, Jamaica, were
relieved when a caravan of containers and trucks manoeuvred past downed power
lines and debris to bring them emergency relief assistance on Sunday, October
28. YB Afraid Foundation and Food For The Poor partnered to bring the
critically needed supplies to approximately 700 people in urgent need of
assistance.
YB Afraid, Yohan
Blake’s Foundation, made a monetary donation that was matched by Food For The
Poor, and assisted in the delivery of food, WATA brand water bottles,
mattresses, blankets, and shoes to soaked Hurricane Sandy victims.
The presence of the 28
Food For The Poor staff members and volunteers wearing the charity’s and YB
Afraid Foundation shirts offered residents comfort and hope.
“No other organization
has come in to help since the passage of the hurricane,” said Kedine White, a
Fruitful Vale resident. “This is the first form of help we are getting, I am
truly appreciative and I know the other residents are too.”
In Portland, many
residents reported having the roofs of their homes ripped off, and creeping
ocean floodwaters seeping in around windows and doors, filling homes with mud.
The hurricane strength wind gusts and merciless rain bands have magnified the
need for safe, permanent housing in Jamaica.
"My daughter and
I were badly affected by the Hurricane,” said White. “I am so thankful to Food
For The Poor for the help, especially the mattress, because we have been
sleeping on a damp bed since the hurricane and my daughter's asthma has been
acting up ever since. Now we have somewhere dry to sleep at night."
The storm's aftermath
will be difficult for the island's farmers who report that ripe fruits were
stripped from trees, banana plants were flattened, and pepper plants submerged
in mud.
FFP & YB Afraid Foundation Distribute Hurricane Relief Packages in Portland
25-year-old resident from Fruitful Vale in Portland, Kedine White, firmly grips a mattress that was donated to her by Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica and the YB Afraid Foundation during the distribution of relief items in the community on Sunday. YB Afraid, Olympic medal winner Yohan Blake's foundation, made a monetary donation that was matched by Food For The Poor to assist families affected by Hurricane Sandy in Fruitful Vale and Norwich, in Portland.
“The storm did a lot
of damage in Portland,” said Blake. “A lot of people are suffering without
shelter or even food to eat. I am glad to be in a position to help. Through my
foundation's partnership with Food For The Poor and WATA on this project we are
able to make a positive difference in the lives of those suffering."
Storm relief items
from Food For The Poor-Jamaica’s warehouse in Kingston are being distributed
and additional containers are expected to arrive soon. The most urgent need now
is for cash donations so that food supplies can be replenished, and new homes can
be built to prevent any more deaths from landslides.
In November, Blake
will lead Food For The Poor’s 5K
Walk/Run For Hunger in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Proceeds from the 5K
Walk/Run will raise money to purchase food to feed destitute families in the
Caribbean and Latin America. You can also help by signing up online to fight hunger
alongside Jamaican Olympic medal winner Blake on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7 a.m.
at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, Fla.
Register
to participate in the charity’s 5K Walk/Run online
at www.FoodForThePoor.org/walk.
While on the website, take advantage of free fundraising tips designed to help you reach
your fundraising goal by sharing your ideas with family, friends, co-workers and
contacts.
Cost of registration
is $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 6-10. There’s no fee for children 5
and under. The registration
cost includes a T-shirt for the first 1,500 who sign up. There will be
refreshments, live music, balloon artists, face painters and more at this
family event. Registration
starts at 6:30 a.m., the walk/run begins at 7 a.m. and the awards ceremony is
at 8 a.m.
Food For The Poor,
named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy
as the largest international relief
and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed
millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America.
This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief
assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for
orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development
assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs
that help the poor.
Saturday, 27 October 2012
Food For The Poor to Assist Post-Hurricane Recovery of Small Farmers in Economic Diversification Programme
Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St. Catherine | Tel.: (876) 984-5005 | www.foodforthepoorja.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA RELEASE
FOOD FOR THE POOR TO ASSIST POST- HURRICANE
RECOVERY OF SMALL FARMERS IN ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAMME
Spanish Town, St. Catherine – October 27, 2012: Food
For The Poor is conducting a preliminary assessment of the impact of Hurricane
Sandy on small farmers in St. Mary and St. Thomas, who are participants in the Economic
Diversification Programme For Banana Producing Parishes. Once
the audit is complete, the charity will be assisting farmers who have
sufferrred losses, to resuscitate their production.
The Economic Diversification Programme For Banana
Producing Parishes seeks to provide alternative income-generating
opportunities for small farmers, who traditionally cultivated bananas. It is financed by the European Union through the European Union Banana Support Programme (EUBSP), and
implemented by Food For The Poor (FFP).
 |
| Norvel Bedward (right), Agriculturalist, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, listened attentively to Daley Dawson (left), as he explained how he maintains healthy plants for the production of quality scotch bonnet peppers. Mr. Bedward was on a visit to the farm in early October. Mr. Dawson is one of the 20 recipient farmers under the Economic Diversification Programme for Banana Producing Parishes in Esher, St. Mary. On Wednesday, October 24, the farms of several of the recipient farmers in St. Mary and St. Thomas were damaged, as a result of Hurricane Sandy. |
The charity is reporting that its investigations have
so far revealed that 70% of the pepper plants established throughout the
participating farms in Somerset, St. Thomas were damaged. Selena
Ledgister-Kellier, FFP Agriculture and Fishing Manager discloses that pepper
plants and peppers were destroyed as a result of the heavy winds and flooding
of the Morant River caused by the hurricane. “Many farmers have lost their
ready to harvest peppers,” Ms. Ledgister-Kellier pointed out. “The Morant River has cut off some of our farmers in
Somerset and the situation makes it impossible for us to do a proper assessment
at this time.”
The FFP Agriculture
Manager is assuring that FFP will be assisting the farmers to recover from the
losses incurred as a result of Hurricane Sandy. “We hope that by Monday or as
soon as the river recedes, we will be able to distribute seedlings, fertilizer
and welfare, to expedite the recovery effort,” she says.
With regard to
the Esher community in St. Mary, FFP has outlined that the bee colonies and
pepper plants have been “severely damaged.”
The charity reports that ready to
harvest peppers got blown off the plants. “Some bee boxes were damaged by
fallen trees and debris. The bees are contained and repairs are being carried out
on the boxes,” explains Ms. Selena Ledgister-Kellier. FFP has committed to providing assistance to the affected farmers by
early next week.
Relating his experience with the hurricane, one of the affected farmers
in Esher, Delroy Robinson, says he has lost thousands of dollars in earnings
due to Hurricane Sandy: “I had a lot of peppers ready to reap, and was planning
to reap on Wednesday, but the hurricane change those plans. My fields got
flooded out and a lot of trees also fall down and mash up the peppers.” Mr.
Robinson laments that he has lost an estimated 300 pounds of peppers.
“My beehives don’t suffer any damage, because I use some building blocks
to help hold the box dem in place, so the winds from Sandy don’t trouble them,”
reports Mr. Robinson. Today, Mr. Robinson and several of his colleagues in St.
Mary started to clean up debris from their hurricane-ravaged fields.
The Economic Diversification Programme For
Banana Producing Parishes was launched in June and will run for 16
months. So far, some 14,101 pounds of peppers have been reaped by farmers in
St. Mary and 13,508 pounds reaped by farmers in St. Thomas. The Programme is providing a total of 40 small farmers in the
traditional banana producing areas of Somerset, St. Thomas and Esher, St. Mary,
with the materials, training and technical support necessary to engage in
sustainable production of scotch bonnet peppers, goats and bees/honey. Most of the farmers participating in the
project occupy holdings between 0.4 hectares and 2.4 hectares.
The primary partners/implementers of the project are
the European Union through the EUBSP, and
Food For The Poor. The Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries has the oversight for the Programme, while the Rural
Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) assists with its implementation.
Contacts:
Erica James-King|Communication Manager | PROComm l (876) 564-5277 or
(876) 926-6740
Petri-Ann Henry | Public Relations Officer
l Food For The Poorl (876) 564-2886 | petri-annh@foodforthepoorja.org l Public Relations Dept. :(876) 907-3664
Friday, 12 October 2012
Food For The Poor Jamaica 50 Campaign Delivers Gift of New Early Childhood Facilities to Esher in Hanover
Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St. Catherine | Tel.:
(876) 984-5005 | www.foodforthepoorja.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA RELEASE
FOOD FOR THE POOR JAMAICA 50 CAMPAIGN DELIVERS GIFT OF
NEW EARLY CHILDHOOD FACILITIES TO ESHER IN HANOVER
Esher, Hanover
– October 12, 2012: A major dream of the school population at Esher Full Gospel Basic
School in Hanover was realized this afternoon with the official opening of a
new school building, which was constructed by Food For The Poor Jamaica. This
is the fourth school to be constructed under the Food For The Poor Jamaica
50 Campaign, which is building and or upgrading 50 early childhood
educational institutions in 50 months, in celebration of Jamaica’s 50th
year of Independence. The new structure
at Esher Full Gospel Basic School brings to two, the number of school buildings
now available to that early childhood institution.
 |
| Students of the Esher Full Gospel Basic School in Hanover perform a cultural item at the official opening of the school on Friday, October 12, 2012. |
The expanded education facilities have solved the overcrowding problem
and other challenges facing the school. Addressing the Official Opening
Ceremony, Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, Food For The Poor (FFP)
Jamaica disclosed that following a request from the Principal Ivalyn McInnis,
the charity intervened in the life of the Esher Full Gospel Basic School at a
time when the institution was “experiencing serious overcrowding problems,
limited classrooms, a need for administrative facilities, and challenges with a
deteriorating school infrastructure.”
She announced
that the new school building constructed by FFP comprises three large
classrooms (which can be subdivided into additional learning spaces), a
sickbay, an office, kitchen and bathrooms. Mrs. Johnson expressed satisfaction
that with the new structure, Esher Full Gospel Basic School now has the
capacity and equipment to better serve the community, and the neighbouring
areas of Bulls Bay, Orange Bay, Elgin Town, Haughton Court, First Hill, Dry
Hill, Lucea, Lances Bay and Cove.
The FFP
Executive Director congratulated the school for its track record of quality
service to a generation of Jamaicans. “Our wish is that this school will be a
hub of success not just for the school population, but for all the communities,
it serves,” remarked Mrs. Johnson.
She issued a
special challenge to parents and guardians, urging them to be more proactive in
being change agents and role models for the youth. “Let me caution you that the
school cannot be the only agent of moulding positive lives!” stated Mrs.
Johnson. “Parents and guardians, I implore you to exemplify the positive
values, behaviour and discipline, which our country needs to prosper. I
encourage you to lead service-oriented lives for the benefit of your community,
parish and country.”
 |
| Jacqueline Johnson (left), Executive Director of Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, addresses the audience during the official opening of the Esher Full Gospel Basic School in Hanover last Friday, October 12, 2012. Listening attentively at the head table (from left) are Martin Babinec, representing the Babinec family whose donation supported the project; Dr. Mark Nicely, President Elect, Jamaica Teachers Association and Keynote Speaker; Neville Clare, Councillor, Lucea Division and Ivalyn McInnis, Principal, Esher Full Gospel Basic School. |
The FFP
Executive Director appealed to citizens to refuse to settle for bad habits or
mediocre achievements. “Instead, only be satisfied with excellence,” she
encouraged. Mrs. Johnson expressed appreciation to the Martin Babinec family,
as well as other donors and partners who have been contributing to the Jamaica
50 Campaign.
An elated
Ivalyn McInnis, Principal, said the new school is a well-needed facility and
would make for a more conducive learning environment for the 117 students and 6
teachers. “The new building has lifted our spirits and also made the learning
environment more comfortable. It’s
really a great help to us,” the Principal declared, while pointing out that the
school is now in a position to accommodate more students from the surrounding
communities.
“We feel very
comfortable and we will make the best use of the facilities,” Mrs. McInnnis
promised.
Dr. Mark
Nicely President Elect of the Jamaica Teachers Association, who was the Keynote
Speaker, pointed out that the greatest return that any country will receive is
what it spends on education. To this end, he has commended FFP for its
extensive input in assisting with the development of the infrastructure of the
island’s education sector, as well as its provision of assistance to students.
Commenting on the FFP Jamaica 50 Campaign and its gift of a new school
to Esher, Dr. Nicely added: “It is refreshing that we can stand here to
participate in an initiative that seeks to get it right at the start. We are
thankful to Food For The Poor and the donors for this initiative that will seek
to transform our country.”
The JTA
President Elect reminded the country that every child who will pass through the
new school will one day replace the adult members of our society, so we must
ensure that “ they become positive role models in our society.”
 |
| Jacqueline Johnson (left, at the door), Executive Director of Food For The Poor Jamaica, cuts the ribbon to signal the official opening of the Esher Full Gospel Basic School in Hanover on Friday, October 12, 2012. Also participating in the ceremony, with Esher students are (from left): Neville Clare, Councillor, Lucea Division; Ivalyn McInnis, Principal, Esher Full Gospel Basic School; Martin Babinec and Mrs. Babinec, representing the Babinec family whose donation supported the project and Dr. Mark Nicely, President Elect, Jamaica Teachers Association who was the keynote speaker at the event. |
He cautioned
that the country needs to be proactively nurturing persons who will become
future leaders of high moral standing, and not those who are bent on
criminality: “The fact is that we have no more room or we need no more of the
current gun men in our country. We need no replacements for the current rapists
in our country. We need no replacement for school robbers and we need no
replacement of the current scammers.” Dr. Nicely reiterated the need for adults
to instil positive principles in their children.
Donor
Representative, Martin Babinec told the audience that his family’s partnership
with FFP was done in honour of his late father William Martin Babinec of Blue
Falls, New York, US, who was a devout Christian. He recalled that his father
“walked the talk” on exemplary living by being dedicated to his faith, loving
life and exhibiting compassion to his fellowmen.
Other speakers
at today’s event included: Viola Frazer, Early Childhood Development Officer,
Region 4; Neville Clare, Councillor, Lucea Division; and Lydia Redding,
Beneficiary, FFP Educational Programme.
Contact:
Erica James-King, PROComm, T: 926-6740
Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor, T: 984-5005
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
FOOD FOR THE POOR JAMAICA, EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMISSION & HEART TRUST/NTA TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 500 TEACHERS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD INSTITUTIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA RELEASE
Oxford Road, St. Andrew –
October 5, 2012: Food For The Poor Jamaica, Early Childhood
Commission and HEART Trust / NTA today celebrated World Teachers’ Day with the
signing of a partnership agreement at the Oxford Road Office of HEART Trust /
NTA, for the training of 500 early
childhood education teachers, over five years. The Memorandum of Understanding
which becomes effective this academic year will ensure that scholarships are
provided to practitioners in the early childhood sector, who lack the
required qualifications, owing to financial constraints in accessing and or
completing the required Certification Programmes.
Signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding were: Rev. Hon. Ronald
Thwaites, Education Minister; Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, FFP Jamaica; Michelle Campbell, Acting
Executive Director, Early Childhood Commission and Dr. Carolyn Hayle, Executive
Director, HEART Trust/ NTA.
FFP which is financing the project will disburse 50 scholarships every
September and January for the next five years. Each scholarship will have a
value of J$65,000 and will give scholarship recipients the opportunity to
pursue National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQJ) Certification for
Early Childhood Development Level 2. The scholarship will cover the cost of
tuition, travelling and meal allowances for each recipient.
All the partner organizations are responsible for screening the
applicants. HEART Trust / NTA will administer the programme and train the
scholarship recipients. The awardees are to be placed in identified HEART
Trust/NTA approved Centres and benefit from 48 weeks (or 12 months) of
training. The Early Childhood Commission which is the regulating and
coordinating agency for the early childhood development sector will be the
advisory and monitoring body for the initiative. The partner organizations will
engage in the monitoring of the programme and will have monthly consultations,
as part of the monitoring mechanism.
A key requirement for involvement in the scholarship programme is that
each applicant must submit a character reference from either a Pastor or
Justice Of The Peace recommending him / her for the scholarship award.
In delivering Remarks at today’s event, the FFP Jamaica Chairman,
announced that his charity will be supporting the scholarship programme to the
tune of J$32.5 million. Mr. Mahfood
said the training of the 500 teachers is part of the charity’s celebration of
Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary, through the ‘FFP Jamaica 50 Campaign’.
“In demonstrating our commitment to assisting with the development of the
island’s early childhood sector, we are building and or upgrading 50 basic
schools in 50 months in commemoration of Jamaica’s Golden Jubilee,” explained
Mr. Mahfood. “The Campaign is also enhancing the quality of knowledge,
qualification and expertise of teachers in early childhood institutions.”
He expressed FFP’s commitment to improving the infrastructure and human
resources in early childhood institutions. “We want our nation to have the best
quality of teachers so we will be supporting those teachers who do not have the
means to access advanced training. We will also be assisting those teachers who
had been pursuing early childhood education programmes, but have had to
discontinue their studies due to financial constraints,” the FFP Jamaica
Chairman stated.
The ECC and HEART Trust / NTA have
also pledged their commitment to the scholarship programme. Dr. Carolyn Hayle
told participants in today’s Signing Ceremony that her organization “is very
pleased to be partnering with the Food For The Poor and the Early Childhood
Commission to support the training and certification of Early Childhood
Practitioners at the Level 2 National Vocational Qualification standard.”
Pointing out that a good early
childhood education is essential for the nation’s development, Dr. Hayle noted
that the advanced training of early childhood practitioners “will ensure that
going forward, we will have a sustainable workforce to drive the economy.”
The HEART Trust / NTA Executive
Director indicated that the partnership is a historic initiative for the early
childhood sector. “Through the
partnership with the Food For The Poor, for the first time we will be able to
provide financial assistance directly to the Early Childhood Practitioners who
need help in off-setting transportation and related costs,” Dr. Hayle pointed
out. “This collaboration will therefore support those who are most in need and
ensure that they are able to successfully complete their studies.”
Commending the joint agreement, Mrs.
Michelle Campbell reiterated that the training programme will prepare
practitioners with the skills sets that support parents, contribute to the
functioning of an efficient work environment and offer stellar customer service
to children and adults alike.
Expressing concern that currently, there is a training deficit in the
early childhood sector, Mrs. Campbell outlined that the majority of
practitioners in the sector have low levels of qualification.
The Acting Executive Director of the
ECC believes the scholarship programme is of great importance in enhancing the
development of the practitioners and the nation’s children: “This partnership
with FFP, HEART Trust/NTA and the ECC to support the training of 500
practitioners at Level 2 will enhance the manpower of the sector and produce
professionals that are equipped to demonstrate the developmentally appropriate
practices that foster the physical, emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual
development of children typical and atypical from birth to age six.”
.JPG)
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 500 EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS
Rev. Hon. Ronald Thwaites, Education Minister (centre); Andrew Mahfood (2nd right), Chairman, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica; Michelle Campbell (right), Acting Executive Director, Early Childhood Commission (ECC); and Dr. Carolyn Hayle, Executive Director, HEART Trust/ NTA sign the Memorandum of Understanding to provide scholarships to 500 early childhood education teachers, over five years. Representatives from the three partner agencies observe the signatories: (from left) Elizabeth Terry, Director, Special Projects, HEART Trust / NTA; Dr. Wayne Wesley, Chief Technical Director, HEART Trust / NTA; and Richard Williams, Manager, Early Childhood Development Services, ECC and Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, FFP.
Keynote Speaker, Rev. the Hon.
Ronnie Thwaites, welcomed the scholarship programme, deeming it “the largest
possibility of introducing training into the early childhood sector,” and
predicted that it will yield big dividends for the recipients, their young
charges and the education sector. Indicating that more than a quarter of
Jamaica’s children are experiencing some learning/ educational deficiencies,
Minister Thwaites explained that the best place to recognise and start to
address these deficiencies is at the early childhood level. He said the scholarship programme would put
the teachers in a better position to address educational deficiencies in
pre-primary children.
Noting that the early childhood
sector receives only 4% of the education budget on an annual basis, Minister
Thwaites cautioned that the nation needs to stop marginalizing the
practitioners in that sector.
Commending Food For The Poor for the
donation of “gift and grace and hope to our Jamaican children”, the Education
Minister said the initiative would sensitise more early childhood education
practitioners to the needs of their communities and inspire them to participate
in outreach activities to residents.
Among the attendees at today’s Signing Ceremony were: Dr. Wayne Wesley,
Chief Technical Director, HEART Trust / NTA; Elizabeth
Terry, Director, Special Projects, HEART
Trust / NTA; Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, FFP; Ron
Burgess, Senior Director, Recipient Services, FFP; Susan Moore, Director,
Recipient Services, FFP; Jean Lowrie-Chin, Board Member, FFP; Richard Williams,
Manager, Early Childhood Development Services, ECC and La Donna Manning,
Communications Manager, ECC.
________________________________________________________________
Contact:
Erica James-King|
PROComm l 926-6740 I Erica.James-King@procomm.com.jm
Petri-Ann Henry | Food For The Poor I
984-5005 | petri-annh@foodforthepoorja.org
Thursday, 4 October 2012
Gold and Silver Medalist Yohan Blake to Lead Food For The Poor’s 5K Walk/Run For Hunger
Gold and Silver Medalist
Yohan Blake to Lead Food For The Poor’s 5K Walk/Run For Hunger
COCONUT CREEK,
Fla. (Oct. 4, 2012) –
Jamaican Olympic medal winner Yohan Blake will lead Food For The Poor’s 5K
Walk/Run For Hunger on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7 a.m. at Quiet Waters Park in
Deerfield Beach, Florida. Blake, nicknamed “The Beast,” is the current world champion over 100 meters and a silver
medalist at the 2012 Olympics in London in the 100 and 200 meters.
“It’s really great that Food For The Poor is stepping up to help more people overcome poverty,” said Blake, one of the world’s youngest and fastest sprinters. “It is a cause that’s near to my heart as a Jamaican, and I’m happy to be part of something so special, including giving back to my country.”
“It’s really great that Food For The Poor is stepping up to help more people overcome poverty,” said Blake, one of the world’s youngest and fastest sprinters. “It is a cause that’s near to my heart as a Jamaican, and I’m happy to be part of something so special, including giving back to my country.”
Blake’s participation in the charity’s 5K Walk/Run is especially meaningful because both the athlete’s and the nonprofit’s legacies started in Spanish Town, Jamaica. Born in 1989, Blake has dedicated his life to the sport, and is currently tied as a second-fastest man in the 100 meter race after Usain Bolt. The two were part of the Jamaican 100 meter relay team that won the gold medal and broke a world record in the London Olympics. In 1982, the nonprofit started out as a small feeding program in Jamaica, and since then has grown exponentially to become the largest international relief organization in Jamaica and the United States.
“We are so honored to have a Jamaican national hero join us for this important and fun event,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor. “He has channeled his passion and enthusiasm so beautifully for the sport, and to serving the underprivileged. He is a true hero.”
Proceeds from this year’s 5K Walk/Run will raise money to purchase food to feed destitute families in the Caribbean and Latin America.
You can register
online at www.foodforthepoor.org/walk.
Cost of registration is $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 6-10. There’s
no fee for children 5 and under. The registration cost includes a T-shirt.
There will be refreshments, live music, balloon artists, face painters and more
at this family event.
This year, a generous donor has agreed to match every dollar raised with an additional dollar’s worth of food. While on the website, take advantage of free fundraising tips designed to help you reach your fundraising goal by sharing your ideas with family, friends, co-workers and contacts.
Special awards will be given to top finishers of each age group. Food For The Poor will be using AccuChip to provide state-of-the art timing and scoring. This service is used for running, triathlon, swimming, mud runs and biking events in Florida.
For more information, please send an email to events@foodforthepoor.org. You can also register the day of the event. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m., the run/walk begins at 7 a.m. and the awards ceremony is at 8 a.m.
The 5K Walk/Run is presented by Winn Dixie. Event sponsors are Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Corner Bakery Cafe, PNC, Runners Edge, Team Reliv, WATA, Wells Fargo, and World of Beer.
This year, a generous donor has agreed to match every dollar raised with an additional dollar’s worth of food. While on the website, take advantage of free fundraising tips designed to help you reach your fundraising goal by sharing your ideas with family, friends, co-workers and contacts.
Special awards will be given to top finishers of each age group. Food For The Poor will be using AccuChip to provide state-of-the art timing and scoring. This service is used for running, triathlon, swimming, mud runs and biking events in Florida.
For more information, please send an email to events@foodforthepoor.org. You can also register the day of the event. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m., the run/walk begins at 7 a.m. and the awards ceremony is at 8 a.m.
The 5K Walk/Run is presented by Winn Dixie. Event sponsors are Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Corner Bakery Cafe, PNC, Runners Edge, Team Reliv, WATA, Wells Fargo, and World of Beer.
Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.
D. FRANK’S EARLY CHILDHOOD INSTITUTE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
.JPG)
Sally Porteous, Custos of Manchester
commends the partnership, which went into building the D. Frank’s Early
Childhood Institute in Greenvale, in the parish. She was speaking at the
official opening of that educational institution on Thursday, September 27.
Sharing in the official opening ceremony are: Nadine Leachman, Acting Regional
Director, Ministry of Education; Mikael Phillips, Member of Parliament for
North West Manchester; Susan James, Project Manager to Jamaica, FFP Inc.;
Jacqueline Stewart Lechler, Donor Representative, Kind Hearts Ltd.; Clayton
Hall, President, Jamaica Teachers Association; Wendy Freckleton, President,
Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Gloria McKenzie, Principal. D.
Frank’s Early Childhood Institute is the third school to be
officially opened under the Food For The Poor Jamaica 50 Campaign,
which seeks to construct 50 early
childhood institutions in 50 months, in observance of Jamaica’s 50th
year of independence.
Wendy Freckleton,
President, Manchester Chamber of Commerce (MCC) updates the audience on the
community efforts which went into the construction of the D. Frank’s Early
Childhood Institute in Greenvale Manchester. She was delivering remarks at the
official opening of that educational institution on Thursday, September 27. The
MCC President recounted that the residents assisted with painting and the
erection of a perimeter fence. She
announced that the residents have given their commitment to undertake a
beautification programme at the school. Seated at the head table are: Sally
Porteous, Custos of Manchester; Nadine Leachman, Acting Regional Director,
Ministry of Education; Mikael Phillips, Member of Parliament for North West
Manchester; Susan James, Project Manager to Jamaica, FFP Inc.; Jacqueline
Stewart Lechler, Donor Representative, Kind Hearts Ltd.; Clayton Hall,
President, Jamaica Teachers Association and Gloria McKenzie, Principal. The
Manchester Chamber of Commerce helped in acquiring the property, Kind Hearts
Ltd. financed the construction, while Food For the Poor built the school. D.
Frank’s Early Childhood Institute is the third school to
be officially opened under the Food For The Poor Jamaica 50 Campaign,
which seeks to construct 50
early childhood institutions in 50 months, in observance of Jamaica’s 50th
year of Independence.
Mikael Phillips,
Member of Parliament for North West Manchester, shares a light moment with the
audience, during his address at the official opening of the D. Frank’s Early
Childhood Institute in Greenvale Manchester on Thursday, September 27. Also participating in the event (from left
at head table) are: Sally Porteous, Custos of Manchester; Nadine Leachman,
Acting Regional Director, Ministry of Education; Mikael Phillips, Member of
Parliament for North West Manchester; Susan James, Project Manager to Jamaica,
FFP Inc.; Jacqueline Stewart Lechler, Donor Representative, Kind Hearts Ltd.;
Clayton Hall, President, Jamaica Teachers Association; Wendy Freckleton,
President, Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Gloria McKenzie, Principal. D.
Frank’s Early Childhood Institute is the third school to
be officially opened under the Food For The Poor Jamaica 50 Campaign,
which seeks to construct 50
early childhood institutions in 50 months, in observance of Jamaica’s 50th
year of independence.
Students of D. Frank’s Early
Childhood Institute in Greenvale Manchester, perform a dramatic poem entitled:
“I am special”, during the official opening of the school on Thursday,
September 27. Seated at the head table are: Deacon Ron Burgess, Senior
Director- Recipient Services, Food For The Poor; Sally Porteous, Custos of
Manchester; Nadine Leachman, Acting Regional Director, Ministry of Education;
Mikael Phillips, Member of Parliament for North West Manchester; Jacqueline
Stewart Lechler, Donor Representative, Kind Hearts Ltd.; Clayton Hall,
President, Jamaica Teachers Association and Wendy Freckleton, President,
Manchester Chamber of Commerce. D. Frank’s Early Childhood Institute is the
third school to be officially opened under the Food For The Poor Jamaica 50 Campaign,
which seeks to construct 50 early
childhood institutions in 50 months, in observance of Jamaica’s Golden Jubilee.
Nadine Leachman,
Acting Regional Director, Ministry of Education, makes a point during her
Keynote Address at the official opening of the D. Frank’s Early Childhood
Institute in Greenvale Manchester.
Sharing in the event at the head table are: Sally Porteous, Custos of
Manchester, Mikael Phillips, Member of Parliament for North West Manchester;
Susan James (foreground), Project Manager to Jamaica, FFP Inc.; Jacqueline
Stewart Lechler, Donor Representative, Kind Hearts Ltd.; Clayton Hall,
President, Jamaica Teachers Association and Gloria McKenzie, Principal. D.
Frank’s Early Childhood Institute is the third school to
be officially opened under the Food For The Poor Jamaica 50 Campaign,
which seeks to construct 50
early childhood institutions in 50 months, in observance of Jamaica’s 50th
year of independence.
Gloria McKenzie
(left), Principal and Jacqueline Stewart Lechler (right-background) of Kind
Hearts Ltd. cut the ribbon for the official opening of the D. Frank’s Early
Childhood Institute in Greenvale Manchester. Also participating in the first of
two ribbon-cutting ceremonies that day are: Susan James (foreground), Project
Manager to Jamaica, Food For The Poor Inc.; Nadine Leachman (partially hidden),
Acting Regional Director, Ministry of Education; and Wendy Freckleton, President,
Manchester Chamber of Commerce. The official opening of D. Frank’s Early
Childhood Institute was held on Thursday, September 27. The Kind Hearts Ltd. financed the project,
Manchester Chamber of Commerce helped in acquiring the property, while Food For
the Poor built the facility. D. Frank’s Early Childhood Institute is the third
school to be officially opened under the Food For The Poor Jamaica 50
Campaign, which seeks to construct 50
early childhood institutions in 50 months, in observance of Jamaica’s 50th
year of independence.
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