HIGHGATE, St Mary — United Friends of Highgate has recognised the contributions of a number of community members along with an organisation that has contributed to the fields of education, health and community service in that corner of St Mary for years. Most of those singled out had given four decades of service.

“It is hard to find persons within our community who are willing to make any kind of contributions to it. So we have to salute those who dedicate themselves to do so,” explained Reverend Seymour Hutchinson.

He is president of the Jamaica chapter of the non-profit philanthropic organisation that has its base in South Florida. During a recent ceremony, honourees were presented with plaques and citations were read proclaiming their contributions to Highgate.

Among those lauded was retired educator Violet Hermitt who excelled in the classroom for 40 years. She told the Jamaica Observer that she was elated and humbled to be recognised for her work in the field of education and within the wider community. She has also made an impact through her work as a volunteer.

“I was a teacher at the Highgate Primary School for most of my teaching life. I love my children and treated each of them as my own. I was also an active member of this group. Contributing to the community through the various outreach programmes that fall under the Friends of Highgate such as health, education and welfare is heart-warming to me and I will continue playing my part,” she said.

Hermitt encouraged others to become involved in giving back. She sees it as a way to shape the lives of youngsters by making them aware of positive paths that can be taken and the opportunities available to them.

“We the elders have to encourage and guide the younger generations, as how we were guided,” she said. “

Like Hermitt, honouree Edna Forgo has also worked with United Friends of Highgate. She is a retired guidance counsellor and registered nurse who was lauded for 40 years of service in the fields of health and education.

Joycelin Smith also shares some similarities with Hermitt. She is also a retired educator at Highgate Primary School, she was also in the classroom for decades and she was also recognised for her work in the field of education and community service. Other awardees included retired postmistress Berlyn Martin, who was presented with a community service award in recognition of her more than 40 years in the postal services; retired guidance counsellor and registered nurse Edna Forgo, who has given 40 years of service in the fields of health and education; sanitation worker Renford Stephens and retired police officer Magnus Walker. The Highgate Health Centre was also lauded.

This was just the latest effort at community building by United Friends of Highgate. The group has provided extensive support to the community through health clinics, scholarships, and more. It has also taken on the task of renovating the Highgate clock with the goal of restoring it to its original glory.