MIRAMAR, Florida — Friends of Good Shepherd International (FOGS) celebrated its 30th Annual Fundraising Gala recently in South Florida, and the evening carried the unmistakable weight of three decades of faithful service.

At the heart of it all was Archbishop Emeritus of Kingston, Charles Dufour, the founding visionary of FOGS and The Good Shepherd Foundation (GSF), who made the journey from Jamaica to be present for the occasion.

A towering figure in the Jamaican Catholic Church, Archbishop Dufour is the only clergyman to have served all three of Jamaica’s dioceses: The Archdiocese of Kingston, the Dioceses of Montego Bay and Mandeville. His presence alone set the tone for an evening rooted in gratitude and purpose.

In a moment that drew warmth from the entire room, FOGS reaffirmed its annual funding commitment to the Archbishop Dufour Education Scholarship, established last year as part of his Lifetime Achievement recognition.

The US$1,000 annual award supports deserving Jamaican students, with the inaugural scholarship having gone to Kelliesha Davis of Mount Alvernia High School in Montego Bay.

Phillip Rose, deputy director of tourism for Jamaica, delivered the keynote address, offering a grounded and moving account of Jamaica’s recovery from the devastating Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28, last year.

Rose spoke directly to the role diaspora organisations like FOGS play in that recovery, reaching communities with a consistency and compassion that goes beyond formal aid. His message was brought into sharp relief by a powerful video presented by Edward Raine, CEO of Food for the Poor, the evening’s banner sponsor, documenting the storm’s aftermath and the resilience of communities rebuilding in its wake.

The evening’s honours reflected the depth of FOGS’ partnerships.

Michelle Buteau, a longtime FOGS volunteer whose years of dedicated service and continued meaningful support have made a lasting mark on the organisation, received the FOGS Humanitarian Award. Her mother, Marie Buteau, accepted on her behalf. The Yogi Foundation received the FOGS Corporate Award, recognising a US$75,000 contribution directed across seven Jamaican initiatives, with Judy James accepting on the foundation’s behalf.

All funds raised support continued Hurricane Melissa relief efforts across Jamaica.

Friends of Good Shepherd International is the international arm of The Good Shepherd Foundation – volunteer-driven nonprofit organisations based in Miramar, Florida, and Montego Bay, Jamaica. The organisations are dedicated to improving lives across Jamaica through education, healthcare, and disaster relief.