In a heartwarming celebration of a decade of impactful service, Jamaican sprinting icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce proudly stood at the podium, radiating gratitude for the achievements of the Pocket Rocket Foundation.
The event, a blend of celebration and fundraising, unfolded at the elegant AC Hotel in Kingston, where attendees reflected on the foundation’s journey, expressed their thanks, and recommitted themselves to supporting underprivileged students and athletes from the Waterhouse community.
Fraser-Pryce began by extending her deep appreciation to the sponsors, partners, and friends who have steadfastly supported the foundation over the past 10 years. She emphasized, “It’s because of your generosity why we’re here this evening, celebrating 10 years of the Pocket Rocket Foundation. The impact and the legacy that we have had throughout the 10 years is all because of you.”
Turning her focus to the foundation’s origins, Fraser-Pryce shared the driving force behind its establishment. “The reason I have the Pocket Rocket Foundation is because, throughout my life, there have been so many individuals who invested in who I was and who I was destined to become. They saw vision, they saw hope, they saw so much more, and it’s because of them that we have the Pocket Rocket Foundation.”
The five-time World 100m champion emphasized the pivotal role of balancing education and sports in transforming lives, a lesson she learned early on. “When I was in Waterhouse, I always knew, like my mom would say to me, that sports was going to be my way out. We have to learn to strike the balance between education and sport to transform your life, and I learned that early on.”
Underscoring the significance of service
She underscored the significance of service, stating, “Service is our greatest strength. I’ve always believed that. For those who serve, you are powerful. It’s your strength from which you lead. I crossed the line and I wanted to give back.”
The three-time Olympic gold medalist acknowledged the pivotal role played by her then-manager, Bruce James, in establishing the foundation. She expressed her commitment to making a genuine impact rather than merely pursuing a philanthropic endeavor for appearances. “I said to Mr. (Bruce) James that I needed to start my foundation, and I wanted it to have an impact. I don’t want to start a foundation just because it looks good on paper or sounds good. I want to start a foundation because I want to have an impact. I want to provide student-athletes with the same privilege, the same opportunity to dream, to plant a seed, to have hope.”
Fraser-Pryce expressed her gratitude to the initial supporters of the foundation, including GraceKennedy, Digicel, and Nike, for their crucial initial funding. She particularly highlighted Sagicor’s contribution, providing a rent-free home for the foundation for almost two years. Transparency and integrity in the foundation’s operations were deemed essential by Fraser-Pryce.
Throughout her address, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce conveyed her heartfelt appreciation to her sponsors, highlighting their unwavering support. “There’s never a time when I’ve called on any of my sponsors to say, ‘I need your support, I need to donate food, I need toys for the kids, I need bags,’ and they’re always there. I’ve never heard ‘I can’t.’ It’s always ‘yes.'”
Fraser-Pryce then shed light on the profound impact the Pocket Rocket Foundation has had on student-athletes, mentioning that 73 individuals have benefited from the program over the past decade. She cited examples like Tahj Lumley, one of the foundation’s early recipients, who went on to become the national squash coach, and Jovaine Atkinson, who pursued a career as a pilot. “When you speak about them, it is hope, and that hope is the seed we have sown in their lives, thanks to you. I want to fuel those dreams and help them exceed their own expectations.”
Aspiration for a better, more unified Waterhouse
The foundation’s initiatives, including the breakfast program in collaboration with GraceKennedy, aimed to make a tangible difference in the Waterhouse community. Fraser-Pryce stressed the importance of ensuring that every child has access to nutritious meals, irrespective of their family’s circumstances.
Discussing the foundation’s football program, she remarked, “When you talk about peace through sports, that’s what our football program accomplishes. It brings young men from different communities who might otherwise be at odds or not communicating. We’re able to bridge that gap through football competition.”
Fraser-Pryce expressed her aspiration for a better, more unified Waterhouse community through the efforts of the Pocket Rocket Foundation. “That’s the Waterhouse I desire. That’s the Waterhouse I dream of. We aim to make an impact; we aim to create a legacy.”
In closing, she emphasized that her own journey serves as a blueprint for the aspiring student-athletes. “You can achieve balance. Striking that balance is challenging, but it’s achievable. I did it. I am the blueprint. I am showing them the way.”
The event also included the presentation of awards to several sponsors who had made significant contributions to the Pocket Rocket Foundation over the past decade. GraceKennedy Ltd received the Pocket Rocket Foundation Pinnacle Award, Nike received the PRF Trailblazer Award, Wisynco received the PRF Standout Performer Award, Sagicor was honored with the PRF Start Award, Digicel received the PRF Change Award, and American Friends of Jamaica received the PRF Trendsetter Award.
