Celebrities Attend Launch of Golf Tournament to Benefit Schools in Jamaica

Several celebrities in music, film and sports attended the launch of the third Annual Caribbean Classic Golf Invitational Tournament at the Foot Hill, Los Angeles residence of Jamaicans, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stephenson over the weekend.
The sporting event will be held in Montego Bay from June 14 to 16 this year, 2007, and will bring together celebrities from the United States and Jamaica competing for various prizes. Funds raised from the tournament will go towards the purchasing of computers and establishing computer laboratories in various primary schools across Jamaica. The celebrities included comedian, Bill Bellamy; comedian and actor Tommy Davidson; Richard Roundtree; Boris Kodjoe; Larenz Tate; producer Jeffrey Anderson Gunter; and Olympic medalist in Volleyball, Dain Blanton.
Mr. Stephenson, Chairman of the Tournament, said that last year, a total of 200 new Dell computers valued at more than US$120,000 were donated to primary schools in Jamaica and this year they are planning to raise US$300,000 from the tournament, which will be used to establish computer laboratories in the schools. “Most Americans know Jamaica as a luxury resort destination for vacation travellers and not much more about this island nation. But there is another Jamaica where I was born and grew up, a place where most families still struggle to afford the most minimal education benefits that Americans take for granted. When I left Jamaica to start a business in America, I promised never to turn my back on those needs,” he said. “Our golf tournament is still young, but it is a charity on a mission, and that is to provide the educational tools and equipment necessary to give Jamaica’s children equal access to the world outside on a level playing field,” Mr. Stephenson added.
He noted that prominent U.S. comedian, Steve Harvey has adopted 10 primary schools in Jamaica and each school will receive US$5,000 for the next two years. Over 300 guests were treated to delicious Jamaican cuisine prepared by Norma Shirley. Among those in attendance were Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Los Angeles, June Royes; and Mike Conway, Chief Executive Officer and President of Air Jamaica.