Come Thursday evening, the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) will host its 27th annual gala and auction for Jamaican charities to raise awareness of education, health and economic development needs on the island.

This year, AFJ will honour former heavyweight-champ Lennox Lewis with the AFJ International Achievement Award for his active involvement in a wide range of philanthropic organisations in academics and sports.

The AFJ is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting Jamaican charitable and social initiatives.

By connecting organisations with resources, the AFJ serves as an enabler to their success.

The gala will be held at Gotham Hall in New York City. Guests include American multinational corporations with commercial interests in Jamaica.

The gala is known for its elegance and showcasing the best of Jamaica. It will feature a silent auction with auctioneer Josef Forstmayr.

Tickets are available for US$500 per person, and can be purchased by calling 212-626-6883. For more information visit AFJ's website, www.AFJ.org/gala.

Our camera could not resist these 'evil' hotties; (from left) Fernanda Hofer, communications consultant, Sarah Perez, photographer, Suki MacDonald Kapahi and Chinyere Nwaogwugwu, an environmentalist, at Groovy Grouper's Full Moon Frolic Halloween party in Montego Bay, last Saturday. - Photos by Denise Reid

Businessmen (from left) Dane Marsh, John O. Minott and Nohaud Azan at the Half Moon Ambassador's beach party last Saturday night. - Contributed

Daniel Melville, the pirate, and his 'wench' and Egyptian treasure, Kathy Dear, at the Groovy Grouper's Full Moon Frolic Halloween party, last Saturday.

Today is decision day in the United States and, on Sunday, Jamaican-born Frances Beard (second left) and her colleagues from the National Education Association were in campaign mode at the Obama rally in Columbus, Ohio.