By John Myers, Jnr. Freelance WriterCLARENDON:
IN CELEBRATION of the 50th anniversary, the ALCOA Foundation through JAMALCO, disbursed funds totalling US$138,000 in grant to a number of charitable organisations, schools and community-based projects at a ceremony held to mark a special occasion at the JAMALCO Refinery Plant in Halse Hall, Clarendon on Tuesday.
According to Jerome Maxwell, Managing Director of JAMALCO, each year the bauxite company submits projects to the ALCOA Foundation for funding. He said "These are projects that directly impacts on the lives of all age groups in the communities around our operating locations and projects outside of Clarendon that impact the entire nation."
He noted that "ever since ALCOA came to Jamaica just over 42 years ago, the Foundation has been supporting deserving organisations that contribute to advancing the education and health of Jamaica in particular."
This year eight charitable organisations and schools together along with three community-based projects were chosen to receive grants from the ALCOA foundation.
Those receiving grants were: the University of the West Indies which received US$25,000 as donation towards the needy students fund; the Denbigh Gospel Assembly receiving US$25,000 towards its basic school; the May Pen Branch Library which got US$23,585 as donation towards the purchase of a mobile unit; Rural Family Support Organisation (RUFAMSO) which received US$23,000 towards the establishment of a nursery to train persons for its early stimulation projects; United Way of Jamaica which received US$10,000 towards various projects in Central Jamaica; the Hayes Primary and Junior High School which received US$10,000 towards the completion of its computer lab; the Foga Basic School which got US$10,000; and the Brothers' Brother Foundation which received US$5,000 towards freight cost for books that it brings into the island on a yearly basis.
Each community-based projects located in Pleasant Valley, Mitchell Town and Havannah Height in Clarendon received US$3,000 towards their projects which entails the restoration of a community play field and construction of a postal agency.
Guest speaker at the special awards function Ambassador to the United States Sue Cobb, congratulated the ALCOA Foundation in reaching its 50th anniversary and commended the foundation for the exemplary contribution it is making to Jamaica.
Ambassador Cobb said this an indication of the significance "of volunteerism and the importance of public private partnership in shaping better communities."
The United States Ambassador pointed out that "you can't have a decent democratic, and healthy society unless people are willing to do their part; to freely assume the responsibilities of citizenship, including helping your neighbours in times of need."
Ambassador Cobb noted that this "is a lesson that each generation has to re-instil if democracy and the broad freedom it supports is to survive and thrive, especially our young people. Young people have the energy and determination to do important work, and volunteer service can teach valuable lessons about responsibility, community, and selflessness at an early age."
Ambassador Cobb believes that "while government has great responsibilities for public safety and public health, for civil rights and common schools; compassion is the work of committed citizens, of a nation." She said "caring requires more than government alone can provide (as) many of societies greatest problems can be only be solved on a personal, family and local community level by those who care."
