Lowell Hawthorne’s commitment to education was recalled during a fundraising event bearing his name on November 14 in New Rochelle, New York. Beneficiaries are students in the Caribbean and United States.

The third Lowell F Hawthorne Foundation Gala took place at Glen Island Harbour Club. It attracted members of the Jamaican Diaspora and community leaders who celebrated the legacy of Hawthorne, a businessman who co-founded the popular Golden Krust Restaurant chain.

He died in 2017 at age 57.

Lorna Hawthorne, his widow, established the Foundation seven years ago to uphold her husband’s determination to assist students struggling to pay college tuition. She told the Jamaica Observer that the galas have raised over US$200,000.

“While we can’t put an exact number on how many students will benefit, our goal is to support as many students as possible in a meaningful and impactful way. We have to continue partnering with schools and institutions that have different requirements and thresholds, but we remain committed to maximising our impact and providing opportunities for students in both America and the Caribbean,” said Mrs Hawthorne.

Throughout the evening, attendees participated in raffles and a silent auction, bidding on exclusive items. Proceeds go to the Foundation’s scholarship programmes.

Four persons were also honoured. They are:
• Dr Melvin I Douglass, recipient of the Educator Leadership Award, for “unwavering dedication to education and the Cave Whiteman Scholarship Programme”, which mentors and empowers at-risk students.
• Velma Hawthorne, who received the Philanthropic Impact Award, for commitment to community service and her role in advancing the LFHF’s mission.
• Dr Reginald E Manning, recipient of the Community Leadership Award, for innovative contributions to healthcare and education, including co-founding the Borough of Brooklyn Center for Arts & Technology to address chronic unemployment.
• Christopher Williams, honoured with the Business Leadership Award, for his “transformative influence on the Caribbean financial sector”, including leadership roles at NCB Capital Markets and co-founding the PROVEN Group.

Lowell Hawthorne, who was from rural St Andrew, started Golden Krust with members of his family in 1989. It is the largest Jamaican-owned business in the United States with over 100 outlets in nine states.

His wife of 32 years spoke of his unyielding commitment to an educated society.

“Education was something Lowell believed in deeply, and he often said that ‘if we fail to educate our people, we run the risk of depriving our communities of social, political, and economic empowerment’. Keeping his legacy alive through the Foundation’s work is my way of honouring his passion for uplifting our communities,” she said.