OFANA Florida Region Scored Another Successful Fundraiser
The Florida Region of the Ole Farmers Association, North America (OFANA) had its 4th Annual Fall Ball and Fundraiser on September 22, 2018 at Club 19 Pembroke Lakes Country Club in Pembroke Pines, FL. The event was very successful as evidenced by its near-capacity attendance and the significant revenues that was raised to support OFANA’s altruistic causes. OFANA is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to foster the advancement of Agricultural Education among students pursuing degrees in Agricultural-related Sciences at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), in Jamaica.
The organization has been supporting the CASE community in the form of scholarships to deserving students as well as the funding of a Plant Tissue Culture Lab on the main campus. To date, OFANA has awarded scholarships totaling $41,500 and has given $100,000 towards the Plant Tissue Culture Lab.
Dr. Derrick Deslandes, Guest Speaker and President of CASE thanked OFANA for its collaborative partnership with the college and underscored the importance of the financial contribution that OFANA is giving to the college. “Your generosity has tremendously helped needy students to complete their degrees as well as helping me to focus on other urgent needs on the campus”, he commented. “Additionally, the Plant Tissue Culture Lab that you are funding will provide an invaluable asset to the college in terms of preparing our students for the 21st century’, he concluded.
The region Vice President, Doreen Danvers, thanked her team for the many hours and unyielding effort that they have put in to making the event a success. “I am proud to announce that Florida Region has played an integral part in fundraising for scholarships and in the gifting of the Lab” she said. She ended with a quote from Albert Einstein: ‘Only a life lived for others is a life worth living’ and urged all in attendance to give to the OFANA initiatives.
Norma Jarrett, OFANA President in her remarks thanked the Florida team for their steadfast resolve in advancing the cause of OFANA. She reminded the audience of the importance of scientific research in agriculture, animal science and food technology and the significant role that CASE plays in agricultural education. “Ensuring a highly skilled and educated workforce in agriculture is of importance for Jamaica’s food security”, she added.
The evening of celebration was culturally enhanced by a poetic rendition by “Sheba Happy Bug” and a moving musical interlude by Saxophonist, Greg Sidbury. Master of Ceremonies and Public Relations Officer, Wendell Codner reminded the audience of the importance of their contribution to OFANA. “We are still a long way off in the complete funding of the Plant Tissue Culture Lab”, he implored them.
The Vote of Thanks was given by Joseph Green whose comments included the Photographer, Ms. Andrea Godfrey for her professionalism as well as the Sound of DJ Xtreme for providing the music and keeping the crowd dancing throughout the event.
