Heart Institute of the Caribbean Foundation (HICF) Giving Workers Free Check-Ups

"THE Heart Institute of the Caribbean Foundation (HICF) last week rolled out its 'Doctors in the Boardroom' series — a free workplace wellness programme aimed towards improving productivity levels among workers."

"The programme sees doctors going into various organisations to discuss health-related issues with workers, in an effort to improve their productivity levels on the job, thereby improving the company's bottom line."

Quotes from Jamaica Observer: Workers Get Free Heath Checks From "Doctors In The Boardroom"

Optimist Club Of Kingston - 30 Years Of Service

"The lives of scores of Jamaican children have been touched by the benevolence of men and women whose name reflect their drive to serve, even in the wake of challenging circumstances.  They call themselves Optimists."

"For 30 years, the group making up the Optimist Club of Kingston has been doing just that and are now marking that milestone of service."
 
"One highlight of the celebration was the mounted display of the club's achievements over the years, which include its many projects - working with children homes such as the Church of God Girls' Home, essay competitions, the oratorical contests involving schools, the OptiSpell contest, projects at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, the painting and refurbishing of classrooms."

Quote From Jamaica Gleaner: Optimists Come Of Age

Beeston Spring Wins First Place In National Better Environments For Social Transformation (BEST) Community Competition 2010

The Beeston Spring community in Westmoreland was "awarded first place in the National Better Environments for Social Transformation (BEST) Community Competition 2010"

"The community has received more than $2 million in cash and prizes geared at further developing the community."

"Residents of Beeston Spring have undertaken projects geared at improving both the physical and social aspects of their community. Currently, the district is without tap water and residents have been working assiduously to develop a nearby spring that can serve as an area for washing and bathing."

"They are also encouraging farmers within the community to practice organic farming as a means of ridding the area of pesticides and insects"

"The National Best Community Competition was held for the first time in 2007, when more than $15 million in prizes was awarded to several communities across Jamaica."

"The competition aims to foster local governance, community self-reliance and self-help, improved values and attitudes and the establishment of partnerships to encourage the creating and development of sustainable communities."
Quotes from Jamaica Gleaner:  Beeston Spring Best of the BEST

Gift Of Life Rotary District 7020 And Others To Develop Cardiac Ward At Bustamante Hospital For Children

"A cardiac ward, which will accommodate more than 200 children annually, is to be developed at the Bustamante Hospital for Children."

"A Memorandum of Understanding was signed yesterday between the Ministry of Health, Gift of Life Rotary District 7020, and other entities, for the development of the sustained cardiac programme."

"The MOU, which is valid for five years, will see the construction and equipping of a new cardiac unit and the systematic development of the human resource capacity in cardiac care in Jamaica."

"Under the MOU, the Bustamante Hospital for Children will be able to increase the number of cardiac surgeries done annually, from approximately 40 to 208. The savings to patients is set to increase from $540 million to $2.8 billion"

Quotes from Jamaica Gleaner: Another Gift of Life - More Children To Get Heart Surgery

Corporate Social Responsibility And Civic Leadership To Be Recognized By AMCHAM Jamaica

"The American Chamber of Commerce in Jamaica (AMCHAM Jamaica) believes that a movement geared toward good corporate social responsibility is brewing in Jamaica."

"The group is to honour corporate and civil leaders as well as philanthropists in it's inaugural Business and Civic Leadership Awards."

"Becky Stockhausen, Executive Director of AMCHAM Jamaica, says the aim of the awards programme is to showcase businesses, individuals and non-profit organisations that are driving and achieving economic and social progress in Jamaica"

"Stockhausen added that often persons were unwilling to toot their own horn, and were resigned to being unsung heroes, but says the organisation believes positive examples should be promoted in the society."

"Diana Stewart, president of AMCHAM Jamaica, said the awards would play an important role in recording heroes."

Quotes from Jamaica Gleaner: American Chamber To Reward Jamaican Heroes 
------

"The American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM) on Wednesday launched a new awards programme that is focused on celebrating and encouraging corporate social responsibility, (CSR) civic leadership and philanthropy in Jamaica"

"The first, the 'AMCHAM Jamaica Award of Excellence for Corporate Social Responsibility' will recognise CSR by companies operating in Jamaica. The nominees will be judged on commitment to corporate citizenry, policies, programmes or projects with measurable or evidenced improvement of the communities in which they operate."

"The second, the 'AMCHAM Jamaica Award for Excellence for Civic Leadership' recognises sustained commitment by individuals and non-profit organisations to national and community development. This should be evidenced by the funding and engagement in projects that enhance development, demonstrate and engender civic responsibility. The nominees will be judged on how well they have improved the social and economic conditions in a particular community or communities and how well they have inspired and influenced others to do the same."

"The final award, the 'AMCHAM Jamaica Award of Excellence in Arts and Culture' recognises individuals, non-profit organisations and companies that have made outstanding contribution to the positive promotion of 'Brand Jamaica' in a range of spheres not limited to the traditional definition of the arts. These include manufactured products, promotions, the visual, literary and performing arts. The committee will recognise contributions made at the national, regional and international levels and will look at economic and sustainability issues relating to, among other things, job creation, knowledge and skill sharing."

"The nomination process ends at 4:00 pm September 15, 2010, with the awards ceremony scheduled to take place at the Jamaica Pegasus on September 28, 2010. Stockhausen noted that claims of CSR and other initiatives must be verifiable and substantiated. An independent judging panel of corporate citizens will review the nominations and select the winners."

Quote from Jamaica Observer:  American Chamber Launches Corporate Social Responsibility Awards

Mustard Seed Asking For Mentors For Children

"FOUNDER of the Mustard Seed Communities Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon is appealing to Jamaicans, especially men, to assist the organisation by becoming mentors to children who are living with HIV/AIDS and as a result are struggling with low self-esteem."

"The Roman Catholic priest said although the children receive counselling in different sessions to help them cope with the disease, they are still struggling with self-esteem issues. Some, he said, were abandoned, while others lost their parents to AIDS and others family members have not been supportive."

Quotes from Jamaica Observer: Mustard Seed Seeks Mentors For Children With HIV/AIDS

Trench Town Reading Centre Gets Boost From Scotia

"The pavilion now allows the facility to hold up to 100 children for their daily after-school reading and homework programme."

"The centre has approximately 60 registered students but focuses mainly on pre-primary and young teenagers. The curriculum features guided reading exercises but challenges students with an exciting art programme."

Quotes from Jamaica Gleaner: New Scotia Pavilion Boosts Trench Town Reading Centre

Inner-City Students Get High School Grants From Peter Stewart Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Peter Stewart Memorial Scholarship Fund assists worthy students to pursue high school education.

"Proceeds from his [Peter Stewart's] funeral collection were donated to the Sunset Optimist Club of Kingston from which the Peter Stewart Memorial Scholarship Fund emerged."

"The fund, which traditionally gives two scholarships per year in addition to grants, has disbursed some $1.63 million in funding assistance. [Janette] Stewart said while at present students are only assisted throughout their high school years, consideration might be given to further studies in the future. To remain in the programme recipients are expected to maintain a 75 per cent average."

Quotes From Jamaica Observer: Peter Stewart's "many children" excel

Mustard Seed Receives Support From Capital & Credit

 "The Mustard Seed's Dare to Care homes welcomed a $1.5 million boost from the Capital & Credit Financial Group (CCFG) last Thursday.  The money was raised at the group's annual signature corporate event, 'Pickney Love at Christmas', which was held last December at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel"....

Quote From Jamaica Gleaner: Capital & Credit Donates $1.5M to Mustard Seed