The United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) will host its celebratory 40th Anniversary Gala, “The Ruby Thread”, on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Under the theme, “Honouring the Hearts and Hands that Give”, the black-tie event is a celebration of 40 years of mobilising resources to transform lives across Jamaica. The Gala, held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston, serves as a milestone celebration, honouring the spirit of giving and Jamaica’s culture of service.
The UWJ will welcome 400 distinguished guests for an evening that features the presentation of three major awards.
“As a charity serving for 40 years, we will honour awardees who embody the highest standards of commitment,” explained United Way of Jamaica Board Chair Devon Smith. “The awards to be presented include The Ruby Award, honouring an individual with outstanding lifetime contribution to philanthropy); The Sapphire Award, recognising a corporation or institution for extraordinary support and community investment; and the inaugural Marcia Erskine Award for Media Excellence. The Marcia Erskine Award is named in honour of a pioneering figure who made enduring contributions to UWJ’s visibility and public trust.”
United Way of Jamaica Officer in Charge Kerry-Lee Lynch.
Guests will be treated to a powerful programme, including a keynote address from Earl Jarrett.
Proceeds from “The Ruby Thread” Gala go to support the Young Boys for Greatness initiative. This is a spotlight initiative designed to empower young boys in Jamaica by providing mentorship, education, life skills, and positive pathways for success.
UWJ Officer in Charge Kerry-Lee Lynch shared that: “This programme directly addresses critical social challenges such as underachievement, violence, and lack of opportunity, helping to build Jamaica’s future through its youth. The UWJ has been a trusted partner in national development for 40 years, investing over J$2 billion into community development projects, and remains committed to the next 40 years and beyond.”
The 40th Anniversary Gala will start with cocktails and reception at 6:00 pm at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel; the programme follows at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available for purchase through the United Way of Jamaica.
United Way of Jamaica hosted 200 children from state care facilities for a special holiday movie treat where they watched Mufasa: The Lion King at Carib Cinema. This memorable experience was made possible through the generous contributions of corporate Jamaica, the Women’s Leadership Initiative, and numerous individual donors. Each child received toys and goodie bags, adding to the joy of the occasion. In addition, Unicomer generously donated small electronic appliances to the participating homes.