Reinforcing hope: The RJRGLEANER Honour Awards

With the demands of everyday life, awards programmes force us to periodically stop and acknowledge the progress that we have made through the achievement of individuals, companies or other groups.

The RJRGLEANER Honour Awards has been at the forefront of this effort since 1979, highlighting the achievements of Jamaicans in all sectors of the society.

The awards programme invites members of the public to help to identify the persons and organisations that they believe made a positive impact on Jamaica within the last 12 months in any of the following nine categories:

- Arts and Culture

- Public Service

- Sport

- Education

- Science and Technology

- Health & Wellness

- Entertainment

- Voluntary Service

- Business

This year's programme features the new 'RJRGLEANER Honour Awards Journey to Excellence Campaign,' which will highlight some of the nominations received. Speaking on behalf of the Selection Committee, chairman Douglas Orane noted the importance of this feature. "Each year we have the privilege of reviewing so many incredible stories of generosity, excellence and commitment, but unfortunately, can only award a limited number of persons and organisations.

"We are indeed happy that the RJRGLEANER Communications Group has decided to provide exposure to a number of these nominees so that they can also be acknowledged, whether or not they are awarded. This doesn't make our job of selecting the winners any easier; but our seven-member committee, with expertise in several different sectors, will validate that this programme is positively impacting many stellar Jamaicans across the fourteen parishes."

Following the nomination period, the Selection Committee will meet to identify the winners in the nine categories. They will join a long list of recipients whose achievements have been recognised under the programme. These winners have included Tessanne Chin, Claudette Pious, Alia Atkinson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Angels of Love, Food for the Poor, and Dr the Hon Usain Bolt.

The awards programme moves into high gear in January, giving multimedia exposure to its category winners as their stories are packaged and shared. Over the six weeks of exposure, members of the public will be treated to a consistent display of achievement, excellence and commitment through the RJRGLEANER Communications Group platforms, giving them the opportunity to celebrate with the recipients while being inspired by their work.

A special announcement will be made about this year's programme in January 2018, which will be exciting for the recipients and their well-wishers as they anticipate the culmination of the celebrations at the Gala Awards Dinner in February.

The programme has been successful in identifying and celebrating many persons and organisations that have gone on to make even further contributions to their country and on an international scale. According to Christopher Barnes, chief operating officer of The RJRGLEANER Communications Group, "We intend to make our 39th year special for our recipients and are excited to celebrate with them. It is our hope that the programme provides inspiration for our readers, viewers and listeners as well as reinforces that there is still so much of which to be proud about our nation and our people.

"We believe that what is good about Jamaica must always be elevated to the highest platform, shining brightly as a beacon for others to emulate. We thank our partners so far, including Red Stripe, Barita Investments Limited and Main Event Group for helping us to make this happen."

- Nominations for the 2018 RJRGLEANER Honour Awards close on November 28 and the organisers have provided a number of channels through which the public can submit their nominees.

Online:Jamaica-gleaner.com/honourawardsnomination

Email: honourawards@gleanerjm.com

Social Media: #RGHONOURS

Mail:PO Box 40, 7 North Street, Kingston