60th Anniversary celebrations of the Jamaica Red Cross Society

Mr Jaslin Salmon, President,
and other National Board Members;
Ms Yvonne Clarke, Director General,
Jamaica Red Cross
Central Village,
St Catherine,
Jamaica W.I.

Dear Friends,

It’s a great pleasure to congratulate you and all volunteers and staff of your National Society for the admirable humanitarian work carried out during six decades in favour of the most vulnerable communities in both Jamaica and neighbouring countries, and to highlight the importance of your National Society’s support to the International Federation’s activities in both your region and the world.

Your National Society is developing and growing, not only domestically, but also outside through its support to sister Red Cross societies, particularly in case of disaster. Humanity and generosity of Jamaicans, effectively channelled through the Jamaica Red Cross, has been exemplary. So has been the expertise and readiness of your Spanish Town’s Disaster-Management Centre, to cooperate in national and regional disaster-response.

Your contribution to the success of the start of the “Federation of the Future” implementation in Jamaica and in your region, as well as of last year’s Inter-American Conference, Federation’s General Assembly and the Red Cross / Red Crescent Council of Delegates and International Conference, deserves also my praise and thanks.

I wish you all a very successful celebration.

Yours sincerely,
Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro Rivero

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President’s Message
For The Celebration of the
60th Anniversary of the Red Cross
in Jamaica
January 24, 2008

In the annals of Jamaican history, 1948 is a watershed year, and among other things, this reality is cogently expressed in the fact that in that year the Red Cross was first introduced to Jamaica as a branch of the British Red Cross.

As is evident, this year (2008), is the sixtieth anniversary of the existence of the Red Cross in Jamaica, and it is with great satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment that we celebrate the occasion. Indeed, since 1948 as Jamaica evolved, so has the Red Cross, and in 1964 two years after Jamaica received its independence, the Jamaica Red Cross was established as an Auxiliary to the Government, by way of an Act of Parliament. Later that same year, the Jamaica Red Cross was formally admitted as a full fledge member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

It is my honour to be the President of this illustrious organization on this momentous occasion, and I ask you to join with me as we celebrate “Sixty Years Of Mobilizing The Power Of Humanity Through Volunteerism.” As in the case of human beings, at sixty, this organization is in the prime of life, and it is imbued with a great deal of experience, knowledge, and wisdom that are exclusively dedicated to the service of humanity. We continue to serve with an increased sense of purpose.

Over these sixty years, the Red Cross has endeavoured to fulfill its mandate to serve the vulnerable, and we have done so by adhering to the seven principles that serve as the guiding light of the movement.

The organization has evolved to become a leader in the Caribbean and the international arena, and despite some difficult times, it has grown from strength to strength. Today, throughout Jamaica, the Jamaica Red Cross is recognized as a valuable partner that is vibrant, reliable and responsive to those in need.

During the past sixty years, we have accomplished much, but time does not allow me to enumerate such accomplishments in this brief message. Permit me, however to acknowledge that our achievements over the years have been made possible because of tremendous support from the Private Sector, the Government, individuals, and the many volunteers who have unselfishly given their service. In this moment of celebration, permit me to say thank you to these entities.

This is a year-long celebration, and we celebrate not only the ending of a period, but also the beginning of the next stage of our existence. We begin this next stage with the full commitment that as long as there are vulnerable people, we are ready to serve.
Throughout this year we shall celebrate by way of a series of activities. Please join us in making this a most memorable year.

Sincerely,
Jaslin U. Salmon, Ph. D.
President

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Jamaica Red Cross
60th Anniversary Celebrations
2008

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Humanitarian Award – this special award will be conferred upon a Jamaican who has demonstrated consistent care for reducing human suffering while maintaining the dignity of the beneficiaries. The individual, who does not have to be a Red Cross volunteer/member, may be from any walk of life. Nominations are invited for such a person and the award will be presented at the Charity Ball.

Volunteer Recognition Ceremony – Volunteers are the backbone of the Jamaica Red Cross. Without volunteers, the organization could not have carried out its mission of improving the lives of the most vulnerable for the past 60 years. As such, as we celebrate 60 years of service to the nation, it is most fitting that we also celebrate the very people who make it all possible. The Volunteer Recognition Ceremony will honour volunteers who have given exemplary and selfless service to the Jamaica Red Cross and by extension, Jamaica over the years. The ceremony will be held on World Red Cross Day – May 8. Traditional awards include Pansy Thomas Award, Judith DeCordova Award, Effie Phillips Award and the Henri Dunant Award.

Cultural Extravaganza – Our culture is an essential part of who we are. And so in celebrating our Anniversary, we will also focus on our rich culture through a Cultural Extravaganza. We plan to celebrate our heritage and highlight the things that make us unique as Jamaicans. At the event, scheduled for July, culinary fare will be on display and available for sharing; visual and performing arts will also be showcased and celebrated and Jamaican icons such as Jamaica Red Cross Special Envoy Oliver Samuels, will participate. We will also acknowledge the contribution of Miss Jamaica World Yendi Phillips and invite the recipient of the Yendi Phillips house which will be constructed for a Hurricane Dean victim with funds she donated in the Miss World “Beauty with a Purpose” endeavour. We will also recognize the contributions of world Gold medalist Veronica Campbell who assisted persons affected by Hurricane Ivan.

Charity Ball – The charity ball will be an evening of elegance where Jamaica Red Cross partners, sponsors, staff, volunteers and other specially invited guests will socialize and generate funds to assist in continuing the programmes. Scheduled for the end of October, the ball is expected to be a gala affair.

General Assembly - The General Assembly, held biennially, is the highest authority of Red Cross in the island. It is at this forum that constitutional amendments are approved and the President and Vice Presidents as well as other members of the Executive and Central Committees are elected. The General Assembly will be held October 25, 2008 and will be officially opened by His Excellency the Most Honourable Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, Governor General of Jamaica, who will also present the Keynote Address.

Newspaper Supplement – To help raise awareness of the Jamaica Red Cross among the public, supplements will be published in the two major daily newspapers. The supplements will feature extensive information on the Jamaica Red Cross including its history, major milestones, services, volunteers among other items. The supplements will be published in October, which is the birth month of the Jamaica Red Cross.

Commemorative Magazine – The commemorative magazine will serve as a souvenir which will, similarly to the newspaper supplement, capture the major milestones, feature exemplary volunteers as well as partners and sponsors and highlight the work of the organization over the years. This will be published in October.

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