Inaugural Palmyra Foundation Event raises more than US$100,000 for school textbooks.
(MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA) - December 14, 2007 - The local community came out in full force in support of The Palmyra Foundation, celebrating the children of Jamaica at its first ever fundraising event on December 8. Held at the Shoppes at Rose Hall, more than 500 tickets were sold to the event, which was hosted by The Honourable Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Prime Minister Golding gave the key note address to the approximately 500 people who attended the event, which raised in excess of US$100,000 for the 2008 school year from the sale of tickets as well as the sale of donated auction items.
In his address, Prime Minister Bruce Golding underscored the importance of improving the education sector, stating that the new Government has started a series of discussions with international agencies in an effort to raise the funds needed to improve the educational system.
Arguing that a good early childhood education was the best foundation for all future learning, Prime Minister Golding said that he felt it was his duty to support the efforts of The Palmyra Foundation. Said the Prime Minister; "There is one thing that we all agree on, regardless of political conviction, and that is that our children are our future."
Prime Minister Golding pointed to the fact that children who receive basic learning tools at an earlier age have shown to do better in school than others, even in challenging circumstances. Stated the Prime Minister; "Let us make sure that every child in Jamaica can go to a good basic school where there is good furniture and adequate material and teachers, where they get a good, sound and solid education."
Said the Foundation Chairperson, Kathi Constanzo; "The presence of the Prime Minister and his support for our efforts, made the event a very special occasion. Our aim was to get off to a great start for next year's textbook purchases, and we are overwhelmed by the support we have received from the local community. We owe a big thank you to the companies and individuals who supported us by donating food, drink, labor and auction items,- making it possible for us to put on the event."
In operation for less than six months, The Palmyra Foundation supplied a complete set of textbooks to all the infant age school children in the parish of St. James, which totals more than 15,000 books to 11 public infant schools and infant departments. Bob Trotta, developer of The Palmyra Resort & Spa personally donated more than US$40,000 towards the Foundation's 2007 distribution, which provided 15,000 textbooks to more than 2,000 infant school children in the parish of St. James. Said Bob Trotta; "I'm glad to be able to make a difference to the children of Jamaica. Books create curiosity and inspire learning, and it gives me great pleasure to be able to help." Said Constanzo, the Foundation Chairperson; "Additionally, The Palmyra Resort & Spa has generously absorbed all operational expenses."
The Foundation's goal of providing school books to the children of St. James parish has already been expanded to include all public school children throughout Jamaica, and has been increased from distributing 15,000 books to 100,000 books in 2008. The Foundations five-year goal is to distribute one million text books.
At the event, Walter Elmore, President of Turnkey Productions and the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, announced to the audience that The Palmyra Foundation will be the official charity of the 2008 Jazz and Blues festival. Elmore said that his organization was delighted to be associated with a charity that will make a difference to the children of Jamaica.
The event was sponsored by almost 100 companies, which include The Palmyra Resort & Spa, Shoppes at Rose Hall, RBTT Bank, Margaritaville, Jamaican Bobsled, The Groovy Grouper, Smirnoff, John Swaby Entertainment, Turnkey Productions/The Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, Caribbean Producers Jamaica, Wisynco, Digicel, Red Stripe, Rainforest Seafood, The Gleaner, Café Blue and Happy Ice.
