Jamaican Canadians honoured for outstanding philanthropic contributions

By Neil Armstrong

Three Jamaican-Canadians were appointed to Jamaica’s National Honours and Awards for their philanthropy on August 6, the day the country celebrated its 64^th anniversary of independence.

Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Wes Hall and Karl Hale were among 140 individuals whose names were announced on Independence Day.

Chin-Loy Chang, chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University, has been appointed to the Order of Jamaica for her contribution to nation building in Jamaica and Canada through her philanthropic efforts.

Hall was appointed to the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander for his contribution to nation building in Jamaica and Canada through his philanthropic efforts, and Hale was appointed to the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer for his philanthropy and sports, in particular tennis.

For Chin-Loy Chang, this is a recognition of the work that she has done and the lives that she has touched, many of whom she does not know.

“I am deeply honoured to be recognised by the country of my birth,” she said, noting that, “No matter where in the world I go, I carry Jamaica in my heart.”

Chin-Loy Chang has been helping many Jamaicans in multiple ways. At her alma mater, Immaculate Conception High School, she was instrumental in establishing the Hall of Fame to raise funds for scholarships.

Hall, chairman and founder of WeShall Investments, and the 35^th chancellor of the University of Toronto posted a message of gratitude on his LinkedIn and Facebook pages. 
“I have no words that feel adequate for this moment. I left Jamaica as a teenager with very little. A grandmother’s voice constantly in my head. A belief that where I started was not where I was going to finish. I have not and will never forget where I came from. I never stopped trying to give back to the island that gave me everything before I had anything to give in return.

“This honour belongs to my grandmother first. And to every Jamaican who works diligently to uplift Jamaica and Jamaicans. I will cherish this for the rest of my life,” he wrote.

Hale is the founder and CEO of Premier Racquet Clubs, and also the director of the National Bank Open Toronto Tournament, one of the longest-running professional tennis tournaments in the world, which is currently taking place in Toronto and Montreal. 

He is also the founder and chairman of Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation (HHJF), a North America-based organisation seeking to improve the lives of the next generation of children, young adults and their communities by creating a world-class education system through investment in infrastructure, health, wellness and leadership.

“I’m honoured to receive this award, but it truly belongs to everyone who has been part of this journey, our board, partners, volunteers, donors, and supporters. Together, we’ve shown that when people come together with a shared purpose, we can make a lasting difference. I’m so grateful with all this support we have helped so many children.”

Since 2006, it has built 27 new schools across Jamaica, completed two restorations projects on HHJF schools, supported over 60 additional projects including hurricane relief, provided access to education for over 15,000 students in Jamaica, and engaged hundreds of individuals to visit Jamaica “through voluntourism school builds.”