Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen being greeted by Mr. Lorrimer Burford, President of United Friends of Highgate at their annual charity gala in Cooper City, FL. on Saturday night, Dec. 9, 2017.
Jamaica’s Governor General, His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen had high praises for the United Friends of Highgate (UFOH), a non-profit organization, as His Excellency delivered the keynote at their gala event in Cooper City, FL. on Saturday night, Dec. 9, 2017. The annual charity event for which proceeds are dedicated to the development of Highgate in St. Mary, Jamaica was this year able to attract over 400 members of the South Florida Jamaica Diaspora.
Sir Patrick Allen in his address commended the United Friends of Highgate for the outstanding work they have been doing by engaging with the local Highgate community, as they conceive and develop plans to assist the community with medical supplies, educational tools, scholarships, infrastructural development and other socio-economic enterprises.
His Excellency told members of the organization that they are Jamaica’s “champion to the world like Usain Bolt” and “are valuable members of our development team.”
“I thank you for all you do in uplifting the communities you live and the community of your birth. … and [for] helping [to] advance our 2030 vision to make Jamaica the place of choice to live work raise families and do business,” he added.
Sir Patrick also challenged members of the organization and Jamaicans globally to engage more with the next generation – the youth.
The Governor General, pointing to the success of several youth leaders in Jamaica, said the youth must be encouraged so that the vision of creating better societies can become a reality.
The event was also attended by several other Jamaican business luminaries, philanthropists, members of the clergy and others from the entertainment to include Jamaica’s foremost comedian, Oliver Samuels who was at his best keeping the guests in high spirits and showering the Governor-General with accolades for being the “draw” for the event.
The UFOH was launched in Florida over 11 years ago and has a chapter in Highgate with Reverend Seymour Hutchinson as its President. The Florida chapter is headed by President Lorrimer Burford and its goal remains “contributing to the economical, physical, educational, environmental, cultural and social development of Highgate thus making the community a safe, healthy and enjoyable place to work, live and play.”