Pricilla James Foundation distributes backpacks

More than 250 needy children in Central and South Leeward earlier this month received backpacks filled with school supplies from the Pricilla James Foundation.

On August 7, 8 and 16, the Peters family of Rillan Hill distributed the supplies to children from the villages of Vermont, Lowmans, Questelles, Penniston and Rillan Hill.{{more}}

A release from the family said only children with no other means of purchasing backpacks were selected for the donation.

The first stop was Vermont, where, on August 7, 40 children, selected by a member of the Spiritual Baptist Church in Francois, received their backpacks. The children were encouraged to strive for excellence in everything that they do and to believe that they could achieve anything that they put their minds to.

The next stop for the family on the same day was the Apostolate Faith Church in Lowmans. The children sang songs about the goodness of God and were lectured by Cherry Gumbs. She encouraged the children to strive for excellence at all costs and to pursue their academic goals. They were commissioned to be attentive in class, complete assigned homework and focus on their goals. In addition, they were blessed by a Praise Dance group from the Penniston Church of the Nazarene.

Twenty-eight children in that village were gifted with backpacks, toiletries and snacks. All of the children, along with the coordinator, thanked the family profusely for giving back to the community. The family was humbled by the outpouring of love shown to them and to know that the seed sown by their grandmother in that church is harvesting fruits. A picture of the family’s grandmother hangs proudly in that church, as one of the founding pillars in the church.

The third stop for the group was the village of Questelles on August 8. This event was held at the Learning Resource Centre. The children who received supplies were selected by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and the Evangelical Church.

Pastor Carter from the Evangelical Church encouraged the children to strive for excellence by completing daily assignments, review daily teaching and explore the outdoors. At this location 80 children received backpacks and snacks.

The fourth and final stop on August 16 was at the Rillan Hill church of the Nazarene. At this location, 112 children from the villages of Penniston and Rillan Hill received supplies. Three guest speakers spoke to the children about striving for excellence and the importance of choosing the right friends who will be able to enhance their goals. In addition to the supplies, the children were treated to snacks and drinks as parting gifts.

The Peters family stated that they have already begun planning next year’s events and look forward to adding other villages to their venture.

The family thanked their many sponsors and Standard Shippers Inc for making this event a success.