COJO charity benefits from airline’s philanthropic spirit
JetBlue helping to keep Jamaica beautiful
ICEMA GIBBS, JetBlue airline’s director of corporate social responsibility (CSR), says her company is committed to helping to preserve Jamaica’s beauty.
The airline has worked with the United States Fish & Wildlife Service to start dialogue about responsible tourism and educating travellers about how to “buy informed” and travel smart to the Caribbean.
JetBlue produced public service announcements featuring local Caribbean conservation heroes to arm travellers with the right questions to ask when purchasing wildlife and plant-related products like coral and shells.
In Jamaica, airline representatives met with Wolde Kristos, founder of the Bluefields Bay Fishermen’s Friendly Society, which focuses on sustainable fishing practices and coral reef cleaning.
SUPPORTOR OF LOCAL CAUSES
JetBlue also supports local causes which benefit Jamaicans. The airline is a sponsor of a number of initiatives in the diaspora, including the New York-based non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the health, education and general well-being of underprivileged children on the island – Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) – which last month presented scholarships valued at over US$20,000 to six former wards of the State to pursue tertiary studies.
Gibbs said: “We are excited to continue our support for COJO. Giving back is part of JetBlue’s DNA and is core to our mission of inspiring humanity. We focus our efforts on the areas that are most important to our customers and crew members – community, youth/education and the environment. Our support for education focuses on providing access and opportunity to those who are traditionally underserved or overlooked.”
JetBlue, she said, is “committed to helping to provide better educational opportunities for deserving children in Jamaica”.