The St. Thomas-St. John District received a generous donation of backpacks filled with school supplies, courtesy of local resident Delroy Ross of Ross Cares. Now in its third year, the program launched in 2017 and is conducted every other year.
"I have always wanted to give back to my community and assist those that need it most," Ross said. "Helping others was instilled in my siblings and I by our mother."
Through Ross Cares, schools in the district received 300 backpacks filled with notebooks, erasers, rulers, crayons, pencils, pens, glue sticks, sharpeners, folders, index cards, tissue, hand sanitizer, masks, a rain poncho, and toothbrush.
Supplies were delivered to schools on August 16, including Lockhart Elementary School, Charlotte Amalie High School, Addelita Cancryn Intermediate and Junior High School, and Ulla F. Muller Elementary School. The giveaway was organized by Jerae Forde, director of the St. Thomas-St. John District Office of School and Community Affairs.