Blingers Foundation aids pre-school destroyed by fire

OCHO RIOS, St Ann:

Blingers Foundation in Ocho Rios, St Ann, has come to the assistance of First Step Pre-School and Day Care in St Ann's Bay, which was damaged by fire in September.

The fire destroyed all the contents of the building and displaced the 84 students and nine teachers at the institution. The school has since reopened at a temporary location on Main Street, which is less than ideal for its operation.

In response to the plight of the students, the foundation, which is the charity arm of Blingers Department store in Ocho Rios, has donated several items, including a 17.5-cubic refrigerator, a gas stove, 10 wall fans, 20 mattresses and 40 chairs to the school.

"We are donating these items in an effort to help the school get back on its feet," Mark Pai, store owner and head of the Foundation, told The Gleaner.

"Blingers Foundation has been supporting schools, so when we heard that this school got burnt down, we decided we would do something for them. We don't want the kids and their parents to be suffering because of the fire, so we have given these things to get the school up and running."

In donating the items, Pai recognised contributions to Blingers Foundation by Imperial and Black Point brands and Brown's Town Furniture and Appliance Store.

GRATEFUL FOR HELP

According to Pai: "We just want to thank them for their kind contribution towards our efforts to help these children. The Blingers Foundation team is happy to be able to help the school, and what we're doing here is just to ensure that the school is able to function properly at the temporary location. Going forward, we will be working with the school to see what we can do in the future."

The items were handed over to the school by Pai's father, Mohan Pai and brother, Mike.

Principal of First Step Latoya Braham was grateful for the contribution.

"I just want to say a big thank you to Blingers for all these items, they have been a great help," Braham stated.

She said the fire was a big setback for the school, but she was confident that the building would be repaired and ready for occupation by the new school term in January.

Meanwhile, a parent whose daughter attends the school has described the institution as "a really good school".

Donna Fullerton said the damage caused by the fire was heartbreaking and the contribution by Blingers was indeed welcomed.

rural@gleanerjm.com