Atlanta-Based Charities Donate Medication and Relief Items

Jamaica is to benefit from the donation of medication and relief supplies from Good Works International and the Neil O’Sullivan Foundation, two charity groups based in Atlanta in the United States.
Sylvia Ashley, Vice President of Good Works International, made the announcement at the annual Atlanta/Montego Bay Sister Cities ‘Dance for Health Mission Ball’, held at the Atlanta Marriot Century Centre in Georgia on September 18.
Mrs. Ashley informed that the items, which would be air lifted to Jamaica within the next two weeks, were being supplied by a number of corporate companies throughout Atlanta and other parts of the United States.
Meanwhile, the Neil O’Sullivan Foundation, chaired by former Ambassador to the United Nations, Andrew Young, has established a Caribbean Hurricane Relief Task Force, to assist Jamaica and other Caribbean islands affected by the hurricane, namely Grenada, Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands.
Ambassador Young, who spoke at the function, informed that after discussions with the administration of the Piney Woods School in Mississippi, it was agreed that students from that institution would be sent to Jamaica to help in the rebuilding process.
He noted that the tragedy of Hurricane Ivan, “reminds us that we cannot be at ease in Atlanta and turn our backs on the brothers and sisters anywhere in the world”.
The Jamaican community in Atlanta has responded positively to the relief and reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of hurricane Ivan. Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Atlanta, Vin Martin, in his address at the fundraising ball, informed that the Consulate had established a Hurricane Ivan Relief Fund and so far, over US$10,000 had been collected.
He also announced that there would be a massive relief drive from September 24 – 26, at the Hillside Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Georgia.
The drive will take the form of a radiothon, which will see the two top radio stations in Atlanta, V-103 FM and 104.1 FM broadcasting from the venue throughout the weekend and members of the public are being invited to call in their pledges to the hurricane relief effort. The three Caribbean radio shows in Atlanta, Natural Mystic, WCLK 91.9 FM, and WRFG 89.3 FM, will also broadcast from the site.
The radiothon, which is being organised by the Union of Jamaica Organization in Atlanta, will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day and money collected will be used to purchase relief supplies, which will be sent to Jamaica.
Meanwhile, Claire McLeveighn, Director of External Affairs and International Relationships at the Atlanta Mayor’s office, informed that Mayor Shirley Franklin had written to Prime Minister P. J. Patterson and Montego Bay’s Mayor, Noel Donaldson, expressing sympathy on behalf of the people of Atlanta at the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan. She said the city was ready and willing to assist Montego Bay in whatever ways it could.
The over 200 persons attended the ball where they were treated to the music of renowned saxophonist Dean Fraser accompanied by pianist John Williams and danced to the music of Monty Montgomery and the Massive Band, along with Just For Fun Disco.
Proceeds from the ball will fund the annual health mission to the city of Montego Bay from October 3-9. A team of approximately 50 medical professionals are expected to participate in the mission this year.