American Friends Of Jamaica, Inc. To Honor JetBlue Airways Chief Executive Officer, Dave Barger

NEW YORK, NY, October 18, 2012 (Press-News.org) The American Friends of Jamaica, Inc. (AFJ) will host the 2012 Hummingbird Gala to celebrate Jamaica's 50th Year of Independence on Thursday, October 25, 2012, from 6:00pm - 11:00pm at the Marriott Marquis Hotel located at 1535 Broadway, NY. Zahra Burton, formerly of Bloomberg News, will once again emcee the event. The (AFJ) will honor Dave Barger, JetBlue Airways President & CEO, who will be recognized for the airline's marked support for Jamaica's tourism product and the impact on the island's airlift capacity. Fittingly, Mr. John Lynch, Tourism Director & Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, will be presenting Dave Barger with this honor.

Invited guests include Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Grammy Artist, Shaggy, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, 2012 Olympic Medalists Yohan Blake and Warren Weir, WFAN Radio & TV Personality, Ann Liguori, NBA World Champion & Philanthropist, Trent Tucker and NBA Star, Patrick Ewing. This elegant evening will incorporate a celebration of 50 years of independence in Jamaica with cocktails and premium bars courtesy of Bacardi USA, 3-course dinner cuisine and rollicking dance music provided by the incredible Fabfive Band. Guest performances by Peetah Morgan, Gramps Morgan, Richie Stephens and Gentleman courtesy of VP Records. "New York thrives on its diversity and is known as a place where people of every background and belief can live in harmony. From business and public service to education and the arts, Jamaican Americans have done so much to shape the character of our City. The Hummingbird Gala will be a terrific opportunity to celebrate the many contributions Jamaican New Yorkers make to our City, and as well as to recognize the tremendous impact AFJ has made on the lives of people across Jamaica," says Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

JetBlue, an intrinsic American brand has consistently grown its service in the Commonwealth since its launch in 2009. The airline will be operating up to seven daily flights from Jamaica this summer to New York, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. In April, JetBlue launched twice daily service from Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston, Jamaica. AFJ President Ambassador Cobb said, "JetBlue has played a huge role in supporting Jamaica as one of the world's top travel destinations. Jamaican's have warmly embraced JetBlue's service and the AFJ is pleased to honor JetBlue's CEO, Dave Barger."

Founded in 1982, the American Friends of Jamaica is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization built on the principles of service and philanthropy; and is established to render assistance in the areas of Education, Healthcare, and Economic Development. The AFJ works with a broad coalition of Jamaican organizations and stakeholders to bring about change in the lives of Jamaicans in need. Amongst other initiatives, our partners assist us to provide shelter to the homeless, education to inner-city youth and healthcare to those in need. The AFJ Grant Cycle begins at the end of each year and grants are disbursed at the end of the first quarter of the following year. For more information and to attend the event: http://www.theafj.org.

Press Contact: MJ Pedone - Indra Public Relations (646) 593-7220 MJ@indrapr.com http://www.indrapr.com