August 2006 Newsletter

This newsletter will be brief. Its main purpose is to announce the kick-off of the fundraiser – Reggae on the Rock.

Please see Reggae on the Rock on the website for detailed information

Do you live too far away to come? No problem.

You can support FOJ by buying raffle tickets, or by making a cash donation, or by buying a box or two of Kids Cards. They make nice Thank you cards with your own message inside. Or, give them as hostess gifts. Keep a few boxes on hand! We are also accepting items for silent auction.

You can now make a cash donation – directly from the website. We now accept Paypal, thanks to the tireless efforts of boardie MoGlenn. He is a busy person, but he always makes time to accommodate my requests for changes and additions to the website. And, he does the design of the pages. I just send the information and make changes once he does the work. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive FOJ member. And thanks to his wife Sweetsop for the time that takes away from her. You are both truly Friends of Jamaica!!!

Look at the information for the fundraiser, and don’t hesitate to email or call anytime for additional information, should you have questions. 815-235-8619. I hope it is a BIG success so we can repeat it next year. The money raised will be used for our ongoing Neonatal Resuscitation Program and other projects.

One of those projects is to repair medical equipment at Sav La Mar Hospital. A biomedical technician will be traveling there in November to work her magic on equipment that is in need of repair. I did the groundwork last week by making the list of serial numbers, model numbers, etc in order for the technician to bring spare parts, which she will have to search for through her contacts across the country. She did similar work a few years ago, and the hospital administration has wanted her back for quite some time. We will now make that happen, thanks to supporters of FOJ like you. If you can make a small donation to help fund this project, please help today! Click here to make a donation or order tickets or Kids Cards.

Another big project was completed at the Orange Bay Basic School in July. They got a new roof, new doors and a nice new paint job inside and out, thanks to 3 wonderful women who had a fundraiser at their jobs at GMAC Residential Funding Division in Minneapolis. The Company matched all the funds they raised and gave a donation for the time they actually did their work. I wish more US companies did this for their employees. I am waiting to tell the entire story until Sara, the coordinator of the project, sends me her story with pictures. It will be very interesting.

But until then – here are the before and after pictures!!

The Volunteers and Rotary President Elaine Bradley

In October, you will hear all about Reggae on the Rock and hopefully, see pictures of the fun party!!

I am very excited to hear the Ark Band from Columbus, Ohio. For those in the crowd who prefer a smoother sound, The Dean Moriarty Jazz Group will not disappoint. They have a wonderful sound and are all very musically gifted. Please come if you can. If you can’t, please make your donation today!

Marcia Burke, Director