REGISTERED nurse Jasmine Wilson is the lucky grand prize winner of the 2024 Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) benefit raffle. Wilson, who is currently employed at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, won a five-day/four-night, all-inclusive stay for two at Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, along with a pair of round-trip JetBlue tickets courtesy of JetBlue Airways.

The drawing took place on August 17 during the elegant summer soirée ‘Style By The Pool’, hosted at the Westbury, Long Island, home of Maurice and Fay Russell. Despite a rainy evening the spirited crowd was undeterred, enjoying great food from The Door restaurant and a stylish poolside fashion show featuring pieces from Stoosh Boutique, Signature Closet, and from designers KeiOsha Swim’s luxury swimwear brand, and Courtney Washington.

Camille Russell, attorney-at-law and daughter of the hosts, had the honour of drawing the raffle winners. Each winner was thrilled to receive a vacation package to Jamaica, including airline tickets courtesy of JetBlue Airways.

Second-prize winner Marilyn Morrison claimed a five-day/four-night all-inclusive stay for two at Ocean Coral Spring; and third-prize winner Roy Reid will enjoy a four-day/three-night all-inclusive stay for two at Princess Hotels & Resorts, complemented by round-trip JetBlue tickets.

The brainchild of chairman and founder Gary Williams, COJO has a mission of helping to improve the health, education and general well-being of less fortunate children. Since its inception in 1994 it has dedicated its resources — human and financial — towards helping to make a difference in the lives of underserved children in Jamaica as well as the United States of America. For more than a decade the organisation’s funding has benefited such Jamaican institutions as the Alpha Boys’ Home (now Alpha Institute), Glenhope Place of Safety (for girls), Child Protection and Family Services Agency, and Young Men’s Christian Association.