Kidney Support Foundation and Blind Society to Benefit from Tag Drive
By: , November 12, 2014The Key Point:
Photo: Michael Shaw
Members of the organising team for the University of Technology’s (UTech) Students’ Union charity fundraiser, Tag Drive 2014, discuss documents pertaining to the week of activities with UTech’s Director, Community Services, Mr. Seymour Riley (right), at Monday’s (November 10) launch of the project at the institution. From left are Students’ Union Executive Members, Delta Wright, President; Jevon Reid, Director of Community Service; and Khamoye Williams, College of Health Sciences Representative. The highlight of Tag Drive is an islandwide collection blitz, which will take place on November 14 and 15.The Facts
- Funds collected in the drive will benefit the Kidney Support Foundation, the Jamaica Society for the Blind and needy students at the university.
- Speaking at the launching ceremony on November 10, Director of Community Service, Students’ Union, Jevon Reid, explained the student group’s imperative to make a positive mark on the wider society, through volunteerism.
The Full Story
The University of Technology (UTech) Students’ Union has launched this year’s Tag Drive, which is seeking to raise $3 million from donors across the island.
Funds collected in the drive will benefit the Kidney Support Foundation, the Jamaica Society for the Blind and needy students at the university.
Speaking at the launching ceremony on November 10, Director of Community Service, Students’ Union, Jevon Reid, explained the student group’s imperative to make a positive mark on the wider society, through volunteerism.
“Tag Drive allows us to show to Jamaica, that we don’t only care about our issues, that we don’t only care about the things that impact the quality of our lives, but we also care about those that are in our minority groups in society, those that are disenfranchised,” Mr. Reid said.
He explained that Tag Drive is a continuation of a community service initiative, ‘Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters’, which began at the institution more than 50 years ago.
Students’ Union President, Delta Wright, in her address noted that it is part of the culture of UTech, “to ensure that whatever we do, we are compassionate to each other and we keep each other in mind.”
Commending the student leaders for their vision and determination, UTech’s Director of Community Service, Mr. Seymour Riley, congratulated the group for maintaining a proud aspect of the university’s tradition.
He underscored the importance of focusing on the beneficiaries – the Kidney Support Foundation, the Jamaica Society for the Blind, and individuals within the community who are in need – while pointing out that the project is not a mere symbolic gesture.
“It is a recognition that none of us exists by ourselves. All of us are part of a larger humanity, and our individual existence is dependent upon the existence of every other human being. And this activity by the union is showing that you understand this,” he told the students.
Tag Drive comprises a week of activities, the highlight of which is the Corporate Drive, scheduled for Friday, November 14 and Rural Drive, set to take place on Saturday, November 15.
Rural Drive will involve buses leaving Kingston, travelling via different routes across Jamaica to collect funds donated by persons in various locations. Corporate Drive buses will travel from Kingston to Portmore. Other activities to raise funds for Tag Drive include Jerk Day and Car Wash on November 13.
Sponsors of Tag Drive 2014 include the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Jamaica Urban Transit Company, Reggae Jammin, Crown Packaging, Optifusion, Sun Coast Adventure Tours, Pepsi and Ting.