Addressing a sold out crowd of approximately three hundred and sixty guests at PROJAM's 9th Annual Christmas Gala, La Vita Banquet Hall in Woodbridge last Saturday, December 8, special guest speaker David Singh, announced his intention to provide funding to the tune of Five Thousand Dollars yearly over the next five years to PROJAM's Annual Bursary Awards Program.

"We are very delighted with this generous offer. The injection of additional funds will serve our Bursary Program quite well and will provide more bursaries for more deserving students" said Dorothy Vernon-Brown, PROJAM's Chair. PROJAM’s Bursary Award is open to immigrant children or children of immigrant parents from the Caribbean who are enrolled full time in a Canadian tertiary institution and who are actively involved in their community and show leadership competencies.

Singh, who came to Canada from Guyana over twenty years ago with Twenty Two Dollars in his pocket and a will to succeed is now the Chairman and CEO of the Destiny Group of Companies, an author of five books, a humanitarian and 1995 recipient of Ontario's Premier Award. He told the audience of his humble and abusive beginnings, one of 13 children he said he left home at sixteen years old to escape the abuse of his father who never valued education. With a passion to succeed he worked and studied full-time tirelessly to achieve the success he now enjoys. He told the audience that he will never slow down and shared that a 40 hour work week and 40 hour school week was his way of life. He further challenged the audience not to believe that the government owed them anything and that no matter the circumstances of your life, if you are willing to work hard and succeed then you can do it.

Owen 'Blakka' Ellis, comedian extraordinaire hosted the evening's proceedings with his endless wit and humour and had the audience 'cracking up' in their seats. Fashion showing featuring F.R.E.E designs by Charlene Fagan was executed with much grace and style.

The evening's showstopper was undoubtedly the electrifying performance by Karen LeBlanc, the Tina Turner look alike and impersonator. An encore performance to say the least.

Rounding out what was truly a wonderful and well executed evening was the irie, irie music of DJ Mark Anthony who had the PROJAM guests on their feet all night long. Pictures and Video clips from PROJAM's 9th Annual Christmas Gala coming soon.

Nuff 'Big Up' to those of you made it out and supported our cause. For those who didn't you missed a splendid evening...you have next year to make it up. Start making plans from now!