CaribWorldNews, Philadelphia, PA, Fri. April 3, 2009: Hollywood Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, will be bestowed the International Community Service Award by Team Jamaica Bickle at the Penn Relays later this month.

Ralph along with her husband State Senator Vincent Hughes, and local business leader Brian Grant will receive the award on April 16 from 6:30 pm at a reception set for the PECO Energy Company in Philadelphia, PA. 

Ralph and Hughes will be presented the award because of their leadership in fighting against the spread of HIV and AIDS globally. Grant will be presented the award because of his leadership in increasing business and trade between the Greater Philadelphia region and the Caribbean.  

The prestigious International Community Service Award was created in 2004 to recognize those whose humanitarian and business interests have a major impact in the international community.  Other recipients of the award have included, Dwight Evans, Jannie Blackwell, Kenny Gamble, Dr. Walter P. Lomax, and Honorary Consul Stanley Straughter.

Now in its 15th year, Team Jamaica Bickle is a volunteer group that provides over 1,200 hot meals per day, hotel assistance, ground transportation, and hospitality services for the 400 plus participating athletes and coaches from Jamaica and the Caribbean at the Penn Relays. 

Many of the participating athletes and schools lack the financial resources to pay for all their expenses – hence the creation of Team Jamaica Bickle.  Several now famous Olympians are alumni of Team Jamaica Bickle most notably the world’s fastest man and woman, Usain Bolt and Veronica Campbell.

`Many of these athletes compete at the Penn Relays in order to win track/academic scholarships to the United States,` says Philadelphia Chair Barbara Wilson, `It’s as if they are running to improve their lives and they are.`

The reception is free and open to the public.  Donations will be accepted and are encouraged.  For more information, call:  610-908-7007.