Several philanthropists and community stalwarts were awarded by the St. Ann Chambers of Commerce at its 61st Awards Banquet at the 8e0Jewel Runaway Bay Resort on Saturday, May 28, 2016 under the theme “Working in unity for the Community.”At the annual event, individuals and organizations were presented with the Education, Tourism, Citizen, Corporate and the President’s awards for their contribution to the development of the parish.
ROSE M GOWIE
Rose M. Gowie-Mclean retired principal of the Breadnut Hill Primary School received the education award. She was featured in The Times last month for her stellar service in education, especially at Breadnut Hill where she saw to improvements to the school plant as well as academic improvements.
The stalwart educator spent over thirty five years in the education sector starting as a grade one teacher then moving up the ranks of principal.
RUPERT BROWN
Rupert Brown received the Citizens award. Mr Brown wears many hats. He is a farmer, he has served as president of Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) Orange Hill Branch; returning officer; JTA sports secretary for St. Ann and JTA president, St. Ann. Deacon Brown is also an active member of the Senior Citizen Association in Brown’s Town; the present superintendent at Brown’s Town Tabernacle Sunday School; chairman of the finance board, Brown’s Town Tabernacle Church, the head of Brown’s Town Tabernacle Church Christian Education Ministry, present board chairman Muirhouse Primary & Jnr. High School and chairman Brown’s Town Preparatory School as well as board member at Brown’s Town Primary School, among other community service activities.
KEVIN WHITE
The Tourism Award was presented to Nando’s Investment Limited operator of Ocho Rios Jerk Centre , Spring Garden Seafood & Steak House. Kevin White operator of Nandos Investment who hails from Bamboo, St. Ann was described as the epitome of being a “son of St. Ann”. White was described as a true entrepreneur and a philanthropist with a heart of gold. He gives back to his community daily, holding many charities close to his heart. Among the many contributions are St Ann’s Bay Hospital, refurbishing the Kaiser Ward (painting and repairs), installation of air conditioning units and refurbishing of the ward’s kitchen. He is also credited with refurbishing bathroom facilities at Bamboo Primary and Junior High, donating to JHTA Ocho Rios Area Chapter fundraising and charity events, the Ocho Rios Police & Area 2 Youth Club, the Exchange Seventh Day Adventist- Fundraising & Charity, St. Hilda’s Early Childhood center fundraising & building fund, The St. Mary Parish Church, the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce, among many others.
RAMESH LAKHWANI
Businessman Ramesh (Jimmy) Lakhwani received the President’s Award. He has been very instrumental to the development of Ocho Rios and serves as a justice of the peace (JP).Mr. Lakhwani has made contributions to the (former) Windsor Girls Home in St. Ann’s Bay and continues to make donations to the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, the Jamaica Cancer Society and the Ocho Rios police. He was a major contributor in the donation of four (4) jeeps to the Ocho Rios Police Station. Mr. Lakhwani is also a chartered member of the Crime Stop Committee of Ocho Rios.
He is also the owner of the Soni’s Plaza, Harbour Shops, and Turtle Plaza. These establishments are major contributors to the tourism growth in St. Ann and Jamaica. These facilities that provide direct and indirect employment for over 500 Jamaicans have assisted many in providing for their families.
C&WJ CO-OP CREDIT UNION
Multiple-award-winning C&WJ Co-op Credit Union Ltd received the Corporate Award for its philanthropy, and service to the parish and by extension Jamaica. The credit union has made annual sponsorship donations to the Annual Awards Banquet of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce, and of the St. Ann Homecoming & Heritage Foundation, and has provided much-needed funding for the Easter treat of the St. Ann Infirmary, and for the St. Ann Parish Council’s Annual Mayor’s Children’s Christmas Treat. In 2007, the credit union underwrote the cost of the participation of one representative from the St. Ann’s Bay Police Youth Club at the Miami Classics sports event in Florida, U.S.A. In 2013, C&W Co-op donated a trophy to the Ministry of Education to encourage participation in the Region Four Primary School Spanish Festival, and sponsored Miss Fugees, a local talent and beauty competition.
Among those in attendance were Shahine Robinson, MP and minister of labour and social security; Eva Myers, businesswoman and president of the Kiwanis Club of the Garden Parish; Custos Norma Walters, former Chamber president; businessman and councilor caretaker Michael Belnavis; attorney-at-law Cienna Smith; JN general manager Ransford Davidson, among other distinguished guests.
