‘That is the real measure of impact’

THE EVERYONE’S A Winner 3K & 5K Run/Walk is more than a race; it’s a movement that has helped change scores of lives.

For more than a decade, this signature Running Events initiative with title sponsor, The Best Dressed Chicken, has raised funds in support of charitable causes. Since 2019, it has partnered with the Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB), directly contributing to educational scholarships, assistive technology, and vital rehabilitation programmes for Jamaicans who are blind or visually impaired.

The JSB, which has been serving the community for more than 70 years, continues to expand its reach and impact thanks, in part, to proceeds from the run/walk.

Funds raised through Everyone’s A Winner have helped outfit JSB’s computer lab with adaptive technology, provided scholarships for high school and university students, and supported access to low-cost eye care through the organisation’s low-vision clinic.

According to Daemion McLean, chairman at JSB, these contributions have had a ripple effect on students and families across the island.

The collaboration between Running Events and the JSB began with the donation of equipment for their computer lab, and has since grown to include support for scholarship and eye-care initiatives.

“The Jamaica Society For the Blind was initially founded with a focus on providing medication for blind and visually impaired persons. Over the years, JSB has evolved into an entity that now offers information and communications technology, inclusive of phone and computer training. Additionally, there is a vision centre that offers services such as Braille, CXC classes and other courses that would be of aid to visually impaired persons,” McLean shared.

He continued, “With the help of Running Events, we’ve been able to expand our scholarship programme, support over 10 students through secondary and tertiary education, and give blind and visually impaired individuals the digital tools they need to succeed. We’ve seen students graduate with confidence, return to the workforce, and navigate life with greater independence, and that is the real measure of impact.”

JSB’s on-site computer lab — one of the few of its kind in Jamaica — continues to equip visually impaired students with essential training in computer and phone use. Each year, new cohorts learn how to operate technology that enhances their learning, career opportunities, and personal independence.

Running Events Jamaica, founders of Everyone’s A Winner, say the partnership with JSB is one of the most rewarding in the company’s history. “We saw the real and urgent need for digital tools, educational opportunities, and long-term empowerment for members of the blind and visually impaired community, and we knew we had to get involved,” said Alfred Francis, managing director, Running Events Jamaica.

He continued, “From the beginning, our goal with Everyone’s A Winner was to use road racing as a platform to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. It’s not just about crossing a finish line, it’s about opening doors, removing barriers, and giving individuals the resources they need to succeed. We’ve witnessed firsthand how access to assistive technology and scholarships can change the trajectory of someone’s life. Whether it’s a student pursuing higher education, someone gaining independence through tech training, or families benefiting from accessible care, the impact is real and lasting.”

One such success story is Coswell Barnett, a former scholarship recipient whose life was directly shaped by the programme.

Barnett, recipient of the scholarship in the academic year 2019-2020, spoke about his experience and how the scholarship impacted him.

“This scholarship covered all my academic expenses for semester one for that year, as well as the miscellaneous fees. The scholarship enabled me to successfully complete the three courses for which I registered in that semester. Additionally, my attainment of the scholarship gave me the privilege to save the funds which I would have had to pay from my pocket, had I not gotten it. Since being a recipient, I have been able to encourage and motivate numerous visually impaired and totally blind students to work hard and achieve good grades, so that they can become future recipients of this scholarship.”

The 2025 staging of Everyone’s A Winner will be held on Sunday at Hope Gardens.

To register, visit runningeventsja.com.