The United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) held its 29th annual Nation Builders’ Award Ceremony on September 11, 2014 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, honouring sixteen (16) Corporate, thirty- two (32) Individual donors; and sixty – three (63) Organizations, representing employees who support the work of the voluntary sector through salary deductions. Chairman of the United Way of Jamaica, Mr. Ian Forbes, disclosed that as result of the combined contributions of donors, and the support of its volunteer’s island wide, the United Way was able to raise $103million dollars in the 2013 Campaign year. These funds, he noted were used to provide assistance and support for charities and organizations island wide. Mr. Forbes expressed his gratitude for the commitment and partnerships with the United Way, which he notes have combined to help improve lives especially among the less fortunate.
Campaign Chairman, Mr. Wayne Wray, announced the campaign target for the 2014 year to be $120 million dollars, noting that while the funds are used for a variety of social needs and causes in Jamaica, the UWJ’s focus will be the areas of Early Childhood Development, Health, and Income Generation. He noted that over the years of its existence, with the support of its Corporate and Individual Donors over J$1.5 Billion has been mobilized and disbursed to support early childhood development, youth-at-risk, community development, agricultural, employment and income generation programmes, health and special needs programmes island wide. He noted further that over four-thousand (4000) agencies, institutions and projects island wide have benefitted from the support provided.
This year, Carreras Ltd, received the award for the Highest Corporate Donor and Philanthropist, Dr. Robert Chen received the award for the Highest Individual Donor. The Jamaica Constabulary Force received the award for the Most Outstanding Employee Giving Organization. Additional awards were presented to other corporate entities, individuals and employee giving organizations.
The United Way of Jamaica was incorporated in January 1985 and is an autonomous non-profit Private Voluntary Organization registered as a Charitable Organization and an affiliate of United Way worldwide. The UWJ brings donors, volunteers, community leaders and other stakeholders together to address pressing needs in the society. The Organization seeks to advance the public good by focusing on the building blocks for a good life: Education, Health, and Income Generation.
