8 As we celebrate the holiday season, I am taking a moment to express my gratitude for the significant difference your sustained support has made in the life of one another. Your unrelenting commitment fuels our mission and the hope we deliver for people and communities navigating extraordinary challenges. I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the true spirit of Christmas shine in your heart and light your path. May God richly bless you throughout the New Year. Sharon Small-Kebede/Contributor LOS ANGELES, CA: APPROXIMATELY 300 guests, including friends of Jamaica from the wider CaliforniaCaribbean community, gathered at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott on Saturday, November 16, for the Jamaica Awareness Association of California’s (JAAC) 36th annual fundraising gala. The room was beautifully decorated with Caribbean-themed centrepieces as a gold and green balloon arch adorned the backdrop of the stage. There was no shortage of mini-Jamaican flags at each table, much to the delight of the patrons who seemed to be waving them most of the night. Amid the elegance and the excitement of the evening, president Patrick Williams addressed the audience with a summary of what was accomplished this year. He informed that proceeds from the event will benefit the 2025 medical and education mission to Jamaica. “This year, we’ve drawn inspiration from Jamaica’s 62nd Independence theme: ‘One Love ... To The World’. This timely message of unity, resilience, and love perfectly captures the spirit of our mission and tonight’s celebration. We’re here to honour not only our rich Jamaican heritage but the power of community, service, and giving back.” “We acknowledge our invaluable partners: National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation and the Health Education and Promotion departments of Jamaica’s Ministry of Health, the National Education Trust in the Ministry of Education, and Jamaica Customs. Their collaboration has been paramount in expanding our reach and impact,” he said. This year, the JAAC donated equipment, supplies, and services, contributing to Jamaica’s health and education sectors, valued at of over US$650,000. Four individuals, Hermin Hussen, Marcia McBean, Lisa Hayles and Jacqueline Williams, were honoured by the organisation and the City of Los Angeles for their extraordinary work as volunteers. Patrons were entertained by the Island Passion Band, led by Dorrel Salmon, with performance by Orland Bailey, out of Montego Bay, as well as the music by DJ Nigel Billings. MCs Dr Ryan Wiggan and Dr Shauna Chin engaged the guests in an on-thespot fundraising drive, which turned out to be quite successful. Proceeds from the event will go towards funding the charitable outreach projects in 2025. JAAC gala - a night to remember THANK YOU. Hermin Hussen (left) is presented with an award by JAAC president Patrick Williams (right), at the organisation’s annual fundraising gala held at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel in California, on November 16. CONTRIBUTED NEW YORK, NY: JAMAICAN ARTISTE Minna LaFortune says she is “diving into the festive season” with her Christmas album Caribbean Christmas, which was released a fortnight ago. “This album is the result of a lifelong dream to make a Christmas album,” LaFortune, a Brooklyn resident and retired Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) associate management analyst, said. “I always imagined it would be covers of traditional Christmas songs, but I never expected to write my original songs for a Christmas album.” “Thanks to my producer, Lee Holness, who always encouraged me to bring my own music to the world, we made it happen,” she added. “I hope everyone will enjoy this album as much as I (me), Lee, and my backup singer/videographer and graphic artiste, Shantel Bradford did.” “I also hope it will become a Christmas staple,” continued LaFortune, stating that Caribbean Christmas is “a harmonious blend of reggae, soca, calypso, ska, and waltz – all crafted with a festive beat”. She said the album marks her first major foray into holiday music, “encapsulating the essence of Christmas with its nostalgic, familycentric, and peaceful themes. “Caribbean Christmas presents an array of original songs, several providing a distinct view of Christmas through the rich and vivid palette of Caribbean culture, “LaFortune said. She said the album begins with It’s a Caribbean Christmas – a “spirited celebration of holiday customs, encouraging listeners to indulge in the season’s joy and unity, enhanced by rhythms that inspire festive décor Artiste drops Caribbean Christmas compilation Jamaican artiste Minna LaFortune. CONTRIBUTED - Minna Lafortune releases original album, animated music video Please see CARIBBEAN, 15 THE MONTHLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 12 - JANUARY 11, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS
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