With only a few days left before the new school term begins, CIBC FirstCaribbean presented over 50 “Back to School” packs to deserving students living in the South St George community presently.
The school packs were donated under CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Community Care Initiative, an outreach programme, whereby CIBC FirstCaribbean employees give back to the community. The initiative has been in existence for over 25 years, with funds being generated through monthly donations made by staff. Funds raised under this initiative has, over the years, assisted many individuals and communities on a whole, via donations made to persons in need of medical attention, school feeding programmes and other areas of need.
In order to identify students in the community, CIBC First Caribbean called upon the assistance of former employee of the bank and coordinator of the South St George Community Assistance Programme, Hayden Redhead, to help with the selection of candidates to benefit from the initiative.
In a short ceremony held on Saturday, 29 August, at CIBC FirstCaribbean’s St George’s office, parents and children were treated to a series of fun activities. Specially selected students were also surprised with additional rewards for their outstanding performances during the last school term. Each school pack consisted of a new school bag and a selection of school supplies that the student will require for the new school year.
Billy DeRoche, Retail Banking Manager, CIBC FirstCaribbean, expressed delight on behalf of his team, at being able to make such meaningful contributions towards the students’ education, and offered words of encouragement as they prepare for the new school term. “We at CIBC FirstCaribbean are always pleased to be associated with any initiative which promotes the development of youth and education. Activities like this programme creates a feeling of personal satisfaction for our team, knowing that we can get involved and give back to our community in meaningful ways. We encourage each of you to take your education seriously and aim to be the very best you can” he said.
In addition to this initiative, the bank is also involved in various other programmes geared towards improving communities. These include Adopt-a-Cause, which identifies projects in the community that require assistance and ‘Walk for Cure’, geared towards raising awareness of Cancer across the region. This year’s walk takes place on Saturday, 3 October, commencing at the Port Highway and ending in the town of St George.
