~Brings Christmas Cheer to 30 Families through Project HOPE~
CUL DE SAC:--- The students and staff of St. Maarten Academy came together and donated grocery baskets with turkeys and ham to thirty families of the school through the annual charity drive, Project HOPE. The theme for this year was "Love in Action".
This is the twelfth year of this well-supported venture, the brainchild of Vice Principal Tallulah Baly-Vanterpool, who is also head of the Department of Student Care. For six weeks, the students, staff, parents, management and School Board were encouraged to bring in non-perishable food items and cash. Even the school's Student Government Association chipped in and raised $465 during its St. Maarten Day celebration, as well as another $200 during "Freaky" Tuesday with a Christmas Twist on December 10. These funds were used to purchase additional items for the baskets.
Donations also came from the school's principal, Mr. Shareed Hussain and the School Board, the latter of whom gave 20 turkeys and 10 hams. "We are ever so grateful to our School Board, who over the years has always ensured that with each basket donated there was either a large turkey or ham, which means a lot to the families," said Mrs. Baly-Vanterpool. The school's Interact Club, under the guidance of Science teacher Mrs. Peggy Illis-Bell; as well as Lisandra Havertong, coordinator of the Leo Club of St. Martin also gave generously.
"Project HOPE has become a true community effort. I am pleased to see that it has gone beyond the school," said Baly-Vanterpool.
Many students volunteered to sort the items and pack the baskets with much love and care. The distribution list, however, remains confidential. Many teachers gave their time in making deliveries to the homes of these families in several communities across the island – from St. Peters to Cole Bay/Cay Bay, Philipsburg, Dutch Quarter, French Quarter, and many places in between.
Special thanks are being extended to the drivers and delivery assistants, namely Mrs. Souad Meskini-Azbouni, Ms. Sharon Richards, Mr. Armand Teunis, Mrs. Iris Derrick, Mrs. Vandana Kotai, Ms. Keturah Thompson, Mrs. Kim Lucas-Felix, Mrs. Suja Pereppedan, Mr. Julian Mason, and Ms. Yvonne Johns, all of whom brought smiles and warm hugs to many grateful faces throughout the day on Wednesday.
According to Mrs. Lucas-Felix, Form 1 mentor and coordinator of the Student Government Association, "Here at the Academy, we don't only focus on the academics, but the development of the whole child. As such, we inculcate values such as compassion, kindness, generosity, and service, which were demonstrated through our students' donations and volunteerism during Project HOPE."
All St. Maarten is encouraged to show "Love in Action" in this and every season of the year.
