A STUDENT accepting her backpack from Cecil Lynch, while others lined up and waited for their chance to collect their own school supplies

Christmas came early for fifth graders at the Layou Government School when a newly formed group donated school bags and supplies to the students.

The Layou First Responders, a group formed “for the betterment of Layou”, handed over backpacks to the students last Friday, December 13 during their final assembly for the term.

Cecil Lynch, chairman of the group, told SEARCHLIGHT that the group has had only one meeting so far but it intends to carry out small projects within the community.

“We come together as a group and identify small projects and we do it. We do not have to wait on government to chip in to make Layou a better, brighter and cleaner environment…” Lynch said.

The donation of bag backs and stationery, which were supplied by a family living in New York, is the beginning of this groups’ venture to adopt the Grade 5 class.

Lynch said that the intention is to partner with teachers and provide extra classes to these students as they prepare to write the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment.

And this donation will hopefully be an ongoing one.

“We want to partner with the Layou Government School to make it a brighter and healthier environment for you boys and girls. Whatever this group can do to enhance the school, we will do it,” he said.

A donation, including whiteboards, whiteboard markers and paper, was also made to the headteacher’s office.

THIS FIFTH grader was the first student to receive a backpack with stationery last Friday from Cecil Lynch, chairman of the Layou First Responders group.

Lynch said the group has also been involved in cleaning up areas in the coastal leeward town, as well as making donations of medical supplies to the clinic.

Members of the group include Arthur DeShong, Aisha Miller, Marci Miller, Danielle Joseph, Noreen and Vernon Scott and Milton Weekes.

The chairman said that the group is open to anyone interested in being a part of it.