Jamaican Paul A Reid highlights legal advice for Penns Relay

By Paul Reid, Jamaica Observer writer

JAMAICAN athletes, coaches and fans attending this year’s annual Penn Relays Carnival in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this month will be able to get legal advice on immigration issues.

This is a new service that will be provided by the army of volunteers that make up Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB), the nonprofit organisation that caters to the needs of the hundreds of Jamaicans who converge on Franklin Field the last full weekend of April every year for America’s largest continuous track meet.

For the past few years a team of chiropractors from Canada and a medical team, along with sports masseurs, has been on offer to the athletes and according to Irwin Clare, CEO and founder of TJB, “It is not just about just meals anymore, but full service” that is provided by his organisation that was formed 18 years ago”.

Originally, TJB was formed out of the need to provide meals for the dozens of Jamaican high school and college teams that travel to the Penn Relays, but over time they have expanded to provide a lot more, including accommodation, transportation, warm clothes and just about anything the Jamaicans need to be comfortable and perform at their best in some times hostile weather conditions.

“Our unpaid ambassadors”, as Clare describes the various groups that are based in New York, Philadelphia and Houston, Texas, with more groups being formed, including one in Boston, brings “zeal and patriotism” as they all understand the importance of “brand Jamaica.”

At the Jamaica Observer’s Monday Exchange, Clare said the idea came primarily from past Vere Technical principal Colonel Ben Francis, and with the help of Jamaican-born New York businessman Vincent HoSang, a Cornwall College old boy, the idea was born.

On average, they cater to over 500 athletes each year, from picking them up at area airports and transporting them to Philadelphia, ensuring hotel rooms, meals for the duration of their stay as well as seeing to almost all their needs, then making sure they get back on their flights to Jamaica.

Most are all taken care of by the professionals who offer their service for free.

With the exception of the bus drivers, who are responsible to get the athletes and support staff to and from the two team hotels; to and from the airport and Franklin Field, no one else, including the CEO himself and other members of the executive, is paid.

The volunteers include HoSang, the CEO of Caribbean Foods Delight empire which Clare said offered more than just his money and goods, but rolled up his sleeves and serve in the kitchen, along with members of his family.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/TJB-offers-legal-advice-on-immigration-issues-for-Penns#ixzz1rEhh37ko

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