Team Jamaica Bickle’s 2018 Penn Relays kickoff fund-raiser for “our athletes, our ambassadors” comes to New York on Thursday, supporting an anticipated rite of spring — the arrival of Jamaican high school athletes participating in the Penn Relays track meet in Philadelphia.
At Thursday’s reception, at Sandz, 234-32 Merrick Blvd. in Rosedale, Queens, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., patrons will be able to network, get the latest information about the organization’s efforts — and support its programs through donations.
Presented by the University of Pennsylvania, the 124th edition of the track meet will be held April 26-28 at the school’s Franklin Field.
Team Jamaica Bickle’s comprehensive hospitality initiative helps Jamaican track-and-field athletes find accommodations in Philadelphia and provides other assistance to schools and families making the trip to the U.S.
And then there’s the food. The organization provides familiar Caribbean meals for the visiting athletes, many of whom are visiting America for the first time.
Since 1994, organization CEO Irwin Clare, TJB members, volunteers, individual and corporate sponsors have aided visiting athletes from Jamaica — and other Caribbean nations — who are participating in the prestigious Penn Relays track meet.
Over the years, the large numbers of New York area track and field fans attending the relays and TJB’s assistance to Jamaican athletes has been followed by strong corporate support for the track meet from TJB sponsors — including Caribbean Food Delights; the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations USA; Tower Isles; and the Caribbean-based Grace Foods.
Team Jamaica Bickle’s Penn Relays season began March 31 with a fund-raising island brunch at the Calabash restaurant in Philadelphia. The “Friends of Team Jamaica Bickle” organization is based in Philadelphia, along with the Team Jamaica Bickle Philadelphia chapter.
Thursday’s New York reception will be followed by a scrumptious “Seafood Delight event on Friday at Anoz Spa Boutique, 281 Nassau Blvd. in Garden City, L.I; a service at the Lenox Road Baptist Church, 1356 Nostrand Ave., next Sunday; and other events.
To get a list of all the 2018 Team Jamaica Bickle Penn Relays events, visit bit.ly/TJB2018. Also, visit the organization’s website at www.teamjamaicabickle.org or call (718) 523-2861.
For information on the Penn Relays, visit www.thepennrelays.com.
Source: New York Daily News/CaribBeat
