The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) brought together a team of 30 Canadian travel agents and community members to participate in the 14th annual Jam-Walk fundraiser in Toronto on May 27.

Team Jamaica raised close to CAN$10,000 for the charity event in benefit of Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation (HHJF).

“The Jamaica Tourist Board is delighted to walk alongside our friends, colleagues and community members each year in support of the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation,” said Angella Bennett, regional director for JTB Canada. “The travel community showed an incredible amount of enthusiasm this year with a record-breaking number of agents joining Team Jamaica to walk and raise money for Jamaica’s next generation.”

The charity walkathon kicked off at the courtyard patio at Palais Royal overlooking Toronto’s scenic waterfront. Participants embarked on a leisurely five kilometre walk along the Lakeshore boardwalk and were later treated to a savoury brunch and live reggae music by local personalities DJ Ian and DJ Spex Da Boss.

More than 150 participants raised a record-breaking $105,000 in total contributions at this year’s Jam-Walk. Funds will be directed to help the foundation’s 26th school build, Orange Bay Infant School in Port Antonio this summer and its 27th school build, Dumfries Infant School in St James in July 2024.

“We are grateful for the Jamaica Tourist Board and the support they have provided; not only are they a corporate partner, but they also rally the troops (travel agents) to come out to Jam-Walk,” said Karl Hale, founder of Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation. “It is a beautiful thing to see how Team Jamaica has grown over the years. These contributions will enable us to continue removing the barriers to success by providing Jamaica’s children access to education.”