CJAA to raise funds for schools

The Coalition of Jamaican Alumni Associations (CJAA), in South Florida, will come together on Saturday, December 4, for its first annual All Alumni Walkathon, at the Vincent Torres Park, in Lauderdale Lakes.
Persons taking part are expected to raise funds through pledges. “Proceeds from the event will benefit the alma maters, as participating alumni bodies will individually raise funds from monetary pledges,” Co-ordinator of the event, Professor of Economics at the Florida Atlantic University, Dr. Rupert Rhodd, told JIS News.
The 5-K walk will begin at 8:00 a.m. and is the first joint event of the local alumni chapters in South Florida.
Members and friends of more than 50 alumni chapters of Jamaican educational institutions will participate in the event, organised by the Consulate General of Jamaica, the City of Lauderdale Lakes, and the Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States and the CJAA.
The CJAA is the brainchild of Dr. Rhodd and Professor, Public Administration at Barry University, Miami, Dr. Sandra Schroeder. Both are members of the Wolmer’s Alumni, Florida Chapter.
Dr. Rhodd appealed to persons to participate in the walkathon, in support of a healthier lifestyle as well as leading the way for educational excellence in Jamaica and the local Diasporic communities.
He told JIS News that the event is one effective method of raising funds to support educational initiatives in Jamaica. “Through earlier collaboration with members of the individual chapters, persons have been working diligently in the community for the benefit of educational development in Jamaica,” Dr. Rhodd said.
Alumni associations have always been an integral part of the education system in Jamaica, providing well needed resources to schools through fundraising ventures. The support includes contributions to infrastructure development, student mentoring, scholarship and sports programmes.
At Saturday’s event, trophies will be presented to the chapter with the most team members as well as the team which raise most money.