CLAUDE O. MARKOE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL students examine jeeps that brought them backpacks filled with school supplies on Friday, September 16.
At 8:30 a.m. on Friday, September 16, a convoy of eight jeeps converged at the Lew Muckle Elementary School parking lot in Sion Farm, Christiansted to deliver educational tools to deserving students. Shortly after, with St. Croix Deputy Superintendent of Schools Faith George-Boone officiating in the school’s library, 17 students were outfitted with backpacks, each containing school supplies appropriate to their grade level.
The fleet of vehicles, including a 1984 model Jeep driven by Victor Fuertes, then journeyed west to the Eulalie R. Rivera and Claude O. Markoe elementary schools to provide the same gratuity to students at those schools. For the second consecutive year, students on St. Croix have been recipients of the items, courtesy of the outreach program of the St. Croix Jeep Association.
The supplies, which included copy books, pencils, pens, crayons, glue bottles, and more were a result of partnering with community organizations, businesses and individuals who dropped off the school supplies and checks at the Jeep Association’s headquarters in La Reine. “Everybody needs help and we want to give back to each and everyone,” said St. Croix Jeep Association Treasurer Cecil Simmonds at the Claude O. Markoe stop. “We take part in everything and hold fundraisers such as car washes and bake sales to benefit the community.”
Simmonds says the 22-member club customarily reaches out to assist wherever they are needed. For example, under the direction of the Public Works Department, they cut and clear bushes to ensure visibility and safety on busy roadways or to use their jeeps to assist St. Croix Rescue in their efforts.
Deputy Superintendent George-Boone, on behalf of the Virgin Islands Department of Education, extends a heartfelt thank you to the St. Croix Jeep Association for spearheading the educational drive, and to the individuals, agencies and businesses for helping to improve the learning experiences of students through their generous donation of school supplies.
LEW MUCKLE SCHOOL STUDENTS give a roaring thank you to the members of the St. Croix Jeep Association on Friday, September 16.
ST. CROIX JEEP ASSOCIATION MEMBERS take a break after distributing school supplies at the Eulalie Rivera Elementary School Friday, September 16.
VICTOR HUERTAS OF THE ST. CROIX JEEP ASSOCIATION equips student with backpack on Friday, September 16 at the Rivera Elementary School.
ST. CROIX JEEP ASSOCIATION HUERTAS extends the same gratuity to student at Claude O. Markoe Elementary School on Friday, September 16.
A ST. CROIX JEEP ASSOCIATION member opens the hood of his vintage 1984 Jeep to students’ delight at the Claude O. Markoe Elementary School on Friday, September 16.
