Long ago, Marlene Gordon’s mother shared some simple but powerful words to live by: “Don’t just say you love, show your love.” This guiding principle is still with Gordon today in her role as president of the Lynne Mitchell Foundation, a Miami-based nonprofit in her mother’s name that helps underprivileged children in rural Jamaica.
Created by Gordon in 2012, the foundation hosts a Fundraiser and Scholarship Gala each year to raise donations in support of primary school children in her impoverished hometown community of Southfield, St. Elizabeth. This year’s fourth annual event on Oct. 15 was a big success with more than 300 people in attendance at the Coral Gables Country Club.
Themed “A Night in the Caribbean,” guests enjoyed a fun-filled night of island cuisine and cocktails, music, and dancing to calypso, samba, and reggae beats. The event also included a VIP reception, dinner, plus a silent and live auction.
But the night was particularly memorable for Gavaska Gordon and Tiffany Peart, the two young scholarship recipients who were flown in from the island nation to be honored and recognized. They were selected from among contestants in an essay contest at the Seaview Primary School, the foundation’s partner school.
Each student received a $3,000 scholarship to go toward continuing his/her high school education, to cover the cost of books, uniforms, transportation, meals, and other supplies.
“These two young people and their families are so grateful for the assistance we are providing,” Gordon said. “After all, just 3 percent of the student population in Jamaica goes on to higher education. That is why our goal is to open more opportunities for kids to go on to college.
The event also featured a guest appearance by the Hon. Ruel B. Reid, Jamaica’s Minister of Education, Youth & Information, Senator, who talked about the positive impact the Lynne Mitchell Foundation is having on students.
“The world is definitely getting smaller and we are all connected,” said Gordon, who also serves as vice president and general counsel at Barcardi USA.” We are all neighbors. We all must reach out and help each other.”
“And my mother would have been ecstatic knowing we are doing this,” she added.
Lynne Mitchell was raised in this same little rural village and was a teacher at the very school the foundation is helping.
“My mother never forgot where she came from,” Gordon said. “So to be able to continue her legacy of reaching out and helping others in this way is an amazing honor.”
Gala sponsors and supporters included Bacardi, Momentum Consulting, Tek Partners, Sedgewick LLP, Hogan Lovells, and MIC Food.
For more information about the Lynne Mitchell Foundation and how to become a “Love Activist” for the organization, visit <www.LynneMitchellFoundation.org>.
