J’cans in US, Canada secure multiple nat’l awards

NEW YORK:

Jamaicans across the United States and Canada have been well represented among the 140 people in this year’s list for national honours and awards list.

At least 12 diasporans are set to be among those honoured on National Heroes Day in October.

Heading the list is Donette Chin-Loy, who has been awarded the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the nation’s fourth highest national honour. She has been honoured for her contribution to nation building in Jamaica and Canada.

Awarded the Order of Distinction, Commander Class (CD), are well-known radio broadcaster Don Topping, for his contribution to the broadcasting industry in Jamaica; Dr Evan Dale Able, chair of the Department of Medicine, David Gaffen School of Medicine at University of Los Angeles, for his contribution to medicine in the area of endocrinology; and Dr Wesley Junior Hall, chancellor at the University of Toronto, for his contribution to nation building in Jamaica and Canada.

Toppin, who spent years as a radio broadcaster at Radio Jamaica 94 FM, said that he was surprised by the honour.

SATISFIED

“I am satisfied that the work I have done over the years is being recognised. It came as quite a surprise,” he told The Gleaner.

Those awarded the Order of Distinction (OD) are Gary Williams, founder and chairman of Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO); Claudette Powell, chair of the Jamaica Diaspora Health Task Force; and Elaine Bryan, Jamaican honorary consul in Atlanta, Georgia.

Powell said that she was excited to be honoured in this way for her service to Jamaica and Jamaicans in the diaspora.

“This award has come as a complete surprise and encourages me to continue to do the voluntary work that I do on behalf of my fellow Jamaicans,” she told The Gleaner.

She said that after 20 years of service to the diaspora, she still finds the work rewarding.

Dr Robert Clarke, head of Help Jamaica Medical Mission, who has worked with Powell over the years to assist Jamaicans overseas and at home with healthcare issues, was happy for her.

“It is a well-deserved honour for her. She has given outstanding and exceptional service to the community and deserves to have her work recognised,” he said.

Also receiving the OD are Wendy Hart, head of the American Friends of Jamaica; Bevan Hugh (The Duke) Earle, radio host and publisher of Caribbean Voice newspaper in south Florida; Dr Karl Hale, tournament director of the National Bank Open and founder of the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation; and dancehall artiste Clifford ‘Mr Vegas’ Smith.

Awarded the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service is Roy Another Walters (DJ Roy) for his contribution to radio broadcasting.

“It is like the icing on the cake. I do the best that I can for Jamaica, and it is always nice to be honoured for doing what you love doing,” Walters said.

editorial@gleanerjm.com