Parkinson marks 65-year milestone with community give-back

Parkinson Memorial School is marking its 65th anniversary by giving back to the Pine community, with the distribution of 65 food hampers to students and families in an effort to assist those needing extra support this summer.

The 65th Anniversary Food Drive presentation, held at the school on Tuesday, culminated a four-month initiative involving students, staff, alumni, businesses and residents. The drive was also intended to give back to the community that has supported the school throughout its history.

The initiative was designed to assist one family for every year of the school’s existence while teaching students the importance of giving and sharing, said teacher Shernell Gill, a 65th anniversary committee member and food drive coordinator. 

“The food drive was designed to assist one family for each year as an institution who are less fortunate than ourselves, while demonstrating our school’s commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. The families consist of a mixture of students from our school and members of the wider community.”

The activity was a whole-school effort, with students from first to fifth form donating food items from March to June, Gill said. 

“It is said it is better to give than it is to receive, and at the heart of our food drive was to show and get our students involved in this act of giving and sharing.”

She also thanked parents, old scholars, past principals, the Friends of Parkinson and corporate sponsors Pine Hill Dairy, Popular Discount Supermarket and Massy Supermarket for supporting the initiative.

Principal Captain Adrian Ward highlighted the food drive as a demonstration of the school’s commitment to caring for families facing financial hardship.

“A shared commitment that we have for each other and support for one another, especially during times of need. Especially at this time when we know that we have families out there who cannot afford their weekly sustenance. These hampers represent what we are about to say is our commitment to those persons who absolutely can’t afford. I would go as far as saying as part of a benevolence to give them back.”

He expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the initiative over the past four months.

“Your willingness to give demonstrates the true spirit of community. To the families who are receiving these hampers, please know that they are given with respect, care, and out of sincere hope that they will provide some comfort and assistance. We remain committed to fostering a school community where every family feels valued, supported and included.”

The initiative represented an opportunity for the school to return the support it has long received from the community, Ward said.

“Every year, Parkinson School reaches out to the community and asks for assistance for our students, for assistance from our programmes. They believe that it’s time that we as a community here within the school give back to our neighbours.”

Pine Hill Dairy representative Sabrina Waithe described the food drive as a natural fit since the company is also celebrating its 60th anniversary this year:

“We found it a great alignment that Parkinson looking beyond education and they’re inspiring, they’re giving back, they’re donating, they’re feeding, which is part of our mantra feeding our communities.”

She said the hampers would provide welcome relief for families facing rising living costs.

“Things are tight. I’m sure with this hamper, families can pay extra on their bill, treat a child, even it’s heartwarming to hear that you’re giving back to your students because your heart is for the people, and that is something that I’m, I’m really loving, and I’m happy to hear, I’m happy to be a part of.”

Waithe also commended the organisers for involving students in the initiative:

“It’s heartening that you guys involve the students to bring items to donate. I think that’s good, teaching the youth how to give back, how to donate, how to think of somebody less fortunate than they are.”

Organisers hope the food drive will become an annual initiative, with milestone anniversaries marked by distributing a number of hampers equivalent to the school’s age, while continuing to instil the spirit of giving and community service in future generations of students, Gill said.

(LG)