Group Jamaica Bickle, Inc. (TJB), the Jamaica, Queens-based philanthropist group that gives hospitality service to Jamaican and Caribbean athletes on the illustrious Penn Relays Carnival, at Franklin Area Stadium, on the College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month.
“TJB at 30, who would have although?” requested Irwine G. Clare, Sr., OD (Order of Distinction), TJB chief government officer and chairman, in a Caribbean Life interview on Monday. “TJB, a mannequin in sports activities philanthropy volunteerism and patriotism, celebrates 30 years of continued help to the welfare of Jamaican and Caribbean athletes collaborating most notably on the Penn Relays, the longest operating athletic relays on this planet.”
From humble beginnings, with the renting of an eight-foot GE Trailer in a College of Pennsylvania parking zone, adjoining to Franklin Area, Claire mentioned TJB started its work to initially present meals to all pupil athletes from Jamaica collaborating on the Relays.
In later years, as TJB transitioned to one of many bigger tents erected on the relays, Clare mentioned it grew to become the hub, “the central level for our athletes’ welfare, “inclusive of meals, medical, chiropractic, dental, house away from house.”
As we speak, he mentioned TJB is hosted within the Palestra, the college’s landmark basketball enviornment.
“As they might say, ‘we’ve got come a far means’”, mentioned Clare, stating that TJB now additionally assists with resort lodging, transportation, meals, insurance coverage and scholarships.
“Thirty years are a big milestone for any group below regular circumstances, he added. “For TJB, we all the time have to stay, at a minimal, related to our athletes’ wants and, most often, create new alternatives. In different phrases, yearly we elevate the bar.
“So as to accomplish our targets, it takes ‘money to care’ and, as such, (we) frequently fundraise through many codecs,” Clare continued.
He mentioned the “Labor of Love” collection of fundraisers is headlined by TJB’s “Labor of Love Luncheon – Black Tie & Sneakers Gala,” which will probably be held on April 14, on the Cresthollow Nation Membership, Woodbury, Lengthy Is.
He mentioned a number of different occasions are deliberate for the yr’s celebration.
“Go to TeamJamaicaBickle@org and, whereas there, please make a donation,” Clare urged. “I’m honored to serve our athletes from the Caribbean in all sporting genres.”
In Could final yr, the Consulate Common of Jamaica New York introduced to Clarean award and quotation in recognition of his excellent management of TJB and its “illustrious workforce of volunteers.”
“Mr. Clare has served as chairman of Group Jamaica Bickle for 29 years and has been a tireless advocate for athlete improvement, from highschool by way of school and past,” mentioned the Consulate Common in a press release then. “His visionary management has led the Group Jamaica Bickle initiative to supply automated defibrillators for colleges, bettering the security and well being of younger athletes in Jamaica and the Caribbean.”
The Consulate Common of Jamaica New York mentioned the quotation was introduced to Clare by Consul Common Alsion Wilson on the TJB village at Penn Relays in Philadelphia on April 29, 2023.
“The award is a logo of admiration and gratitude from the Consulate Common of Jamaica New York to Mr. Clare and his workforce of devoted volunteers, who’ve had a profound impression on numerous athletes and their households, reworking their lives for the higher,” the assertion mentioned.
Clare – who can also be managing director of the Jamaica, Queens-based Caribbean Immigrant Companies, Inc. (CIS) – advised Caribbean Life that he was “actually honored and grateful to be acknowledged by the Consulate of Jamaica NY notably by Consul Common Alsion Wilson for this distinguished and inaugural quotation.”
He mentioned he was “certainly grateful and vow to proceed in enjoying my half in fostering alternatives for our younger folks by way of sports activities.”
Clare mentioned TJB was fashioned in 1994 and later designated a 501(c)(3) group. The affiliated TJB-Philadelphia Organizing Committee was concurrently fashioned by co-founder Blane Stoddart, who now heads the affiliated Mates of Group Jamaica Bickle, additionally primarily based in Philadelphia, PA.
Clare mentioned TJB’s mission is embodied within the motto, “Our Athletes, Our Ambassadors.”
He mentioned TJB’s providers lengthen to a delegation of about 650 college students and coaches from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Guyana and Grenada.
Through the years, Clare mentioned TJB has welcomed and prolonged its providers to delegations of scholars and coaches from the US Virgin Islands (USVI), Bahamas, Barbados and, most up-to-date, Belize.
In 1999, Clare mentioned TJB grew to become the primary Jamaican group to be a collaborating sponsor on the Penn Relays.
In consequence, he mentioned the Jamaican flag grew to become the primary overseas flag to be flown on the Penn Relays, “a distinction unmatched.”
Through the years, Clare mentioned TJB has acquired quite a few proclamations and awards from a number of native and nationwide entities.
