The spirit of generosity has been exemplified by the Garrison Secondary School as students and teachers raised $2 000 in two weeks for a student whose house was destroyed by fire this year.
A cheque was handed over to first former Mercedes O’Neal who lost all her possessions when her Sayes Court, Christ Church house was destroyed by fire on January 1.
O’Neal’s year head, Esther Willoughby – the driving force behind the fund-raising drive – told the DAILY NATION the school was not publicly highlighting the presentation “to show off but rather to let our light shine”.
“On the first day of school she started to cry and I wanted to know what happened. Then her form teacher told me that her house was destroyed by fire and immediately I thought we had to do something to help her.
“I borrowed offering baskets from my church and one morning at assembly we collected $1 000. The next week I told the principal I wanted to make another effort and we brought back the baskets again. Eventually we collected this $2 000.”
Principal Mattew Farley commended the students and staff for responding to the fire victim’s cause, indicating that while lessons were taught in the classroom it was essential for them to learn the lesson of helping those in need.
The student’s mother, Rosemary Jones, thanked donors for looking out for Mercedes.
“With all of my heart I want to thank everybody. This donation is very much appreciated and will really help out the family,” said Jones.
