Walwyn’s youth giving $25K for back to school

The youth committee supporting Minister of Education Myron Walwyn this year raised $25,000 to support their annual Back to School Voucher Programme.

Youth for Walwyn member, Whitney George, said the funds came from both Walwyn and the group’s fundraising initiative dubbed TRIBE.

“Through our fundraising initiative, TRIBE, we were able to raise $12,500 and Honourable Walwyn matched that amount from his personal funds, so we have $25,000 to assist families in need.”

The programme started in 2011 after Walwyn charged his youth group with finding a way to assist families that were facing hardship with the purchasing of school supplies for the upcoming school year.

The committee already began its distribution on the territory’s four main islands.

“Each pack of supplies includes school supplies, Caprisun pouches, and a case of water. Vouchers are redeemable at J&C Department Store, SAID Department Store, One Stop Mall, and Diva Hair Salon,” Youth for Walwyn said.

In commenting on the effort of his committee, Walwyn highlighted the importance of young people doing their part to build the Virgin Islands.

“Each of us has a responsibility to ensure that the Virgin Islands develops in such a way that we are all proud,” he said.

“By example, we should all do our part to ensure that our young people understand the role that they play in the building of our community, and I continue to be proud of the work of my youth committee as we seek to make the Virgin Islands even greater than what it is now,” added Walwyn.

Sponsors of the initiative included Caribbean Cellars and Carib, Nagico Insurances, SAID Electronics, One Stop Mall, The Pub, James Todman Construction, and Advertise It BVI.

“To suggest families that may be in need of assistance, the committee encourages persons to send them a message on their Facebook page at Youth For Walwyn,” added the youth committee.