MIRAMAR, Florida — Against the backdrop of South Florida’s vibrant community, Friends of Good Shepherd International (FOGS) gathered recently to mark a major milestone: its 30th annual fundraising gala. The event was far more than a celebration; it was a reflection of three decades of unwavering commitment to lifting up communities across Jamaica, carrying with it the quiet gravity of 30 years of impactful, mission-driven service.
The evening’s most anticipated guest was Archbishop Emeritus Charles Dufour of Kingston, the founding visionary behind both FOGS and its parent organization, The Good Shepherd Foundation (GSF). Traveling from his home in Jamaica to attend the anniversary gathering, Dufour brought a legacy rooted in decades of leadership across Jamaica’s Catholic community. A uniquely prominent figure in the country’s church landscape, he holds the distinction of being the only clergy member to have served in all three of Jamaica’s dioceses: the Archdiocese of Kingston, and the Dioceses of Montego Bay and Mandeville. His presence alone anchored the gala in a spirit of deep gratitude and renewed purpose, setting a heartfelt tone for the entire event.
In one of the evening’s most moving moments, FOGS leadership reaffirmed its annual funding commitment to the Archbishop Dufour Education Scholarship, a program launched one year prior to honor Dufour’s lifetime of achievement. The $1,000 annual award is designed to support high-achieving, deserving Jamaican students pursuing secondary education. The inaugural 2023 scholarship was awarded to Kelliesha Davis, a student at Mount Alvernia High School in Montego Bay, a reminder of the tangible, life-changing impact FOGS’ work creates for young people across the island.
The keynote address was delivered by Phillip Rose, Jamaica’s Deputy Director of Tourism, who centered his remarks on the island’s ongoing recovery from Hurricane Melissa, the devastating storm that made landfall on Jamaica on October 28, 2023. Rose offered a grounded, deeply personal account of the storm’s destruction and the slow, steady work of rebuilding, emphasizing the irreplaceable role that diaspora organizations like FOGS play in disaster response. Unlike large-scale formal aid efforts, Rose noted, FOGS and similar groups deliver consistent, compassionate support directly to local communities, meeting needs that often go unaddressed by institutional relief.
Rose’s narrative was amplified by a short, powerful documentary presented by Edward Raine, CEO of Food for the Poor, the gala’s headline sponsor. The video captured raw, on-the-ground footage of the hurricane’s aftermath, paired with stories of local resilience as communities worked to rebuild their homes, schools, and livelihoods.
The gala also included an awards segment to honor outstanding partners and volunteers whose contributions have advanced FOGS’ mission. Longtime FOGS volunteer Michelle Buteau, whose years of dedicated service have left an indelible mark on the organization, was awarded the 2024 FOGS Humanitarian Award. Buteau was unable to attend the event in person, so her mother Marie accepted the honor on her behalf. The FOGS Corporate Award went to The Yogi Foundation, recognized for its transformative $75,000 donation that will support seven separate community initiatives across Jamaica. Judy James accepted the award on behalf of the foundation.
Importantly, every dollar raised at the 30th anniversary gala will go directly to expanding Hurricane Melissa relief and recovery efforts across Jamaica, providing critical support to communities still rebuilding months after the storm.
FOGS operates as the international outreach arm of The Good Shepherd Foundation, a pair of volunteer-led nonprofit organizations with bases in Miramar, Florida and Montego Bay, Jamaica. For 30 years, the organizations have centered their work on improving quality of life for Jamaican communities across three core focus areas: education access, improved healthcare services, and emergency disaster relief.