Primary and high schools benefit from back-to-school shoe drive

The back-to-school Kicker’s Club Shoe Drive, which has been undertaken for the past few years as a joint venture between the Friends of Porus (FOP) and Give Back Jamaica Inc (GBJ), continues to benefit students across the island.

Students from several primary schools and one high school were the beneficiaries this year, with more than $500,000 in footwear being provided.

Vassell Ogilvie, vice-president of FOP and board member of GBJ said the decision to include a high school as part of this year’s initiative came about after it was revealed that several students at the Porus High School were in need of support.

Traditionally, the programme focused on the needs of primary schools.

“The decision to include the high school came about after speaking to the Principal of Porus High, Miss Marlene Murray, about the shoe drive, and she made mention that several of her students needed shoes for school. Subsequently, Mr Hopeton Brown, president of GBJ, along with the board members, deliberated and reached a consensus regarding the inclusion of the high school,” said Ogilvie.

The shoe drive took place over two weeks in September.

Ogilvie explained how the idea for the programme came about.,

“The birth of this programme came alive by Dr Eve Richardson founder and CEO of Give Back Jamaica. As a child she remembers not having proper shoes for school. Hence, she started the Kickers Club Shoe programme. The first programme was September 2021 at Crescent Primary School, and since then, thanks to the contributions of several of our donors, we have incorporated many other institutions who have benefited,” said Ogilvie.

“The amount raised for the Friends of Porus contribution was $500,000, and this was funded by the Signature Society, Hudson Valley Dynamic Counseling, and other charitable donors,” he shared.

Some of the institutions that benefited from the exercise include Porus Primary, Broadleaf Primary, Ramble Primary, Harmons Primary, St Jago Primary, Porus High School, and Campbell’s Castle Primary.

“The Signature Society, a non-profit organisation, has been instrumental for a second year in the continued expansion of the number of schools participating in the Kickers Shoe Drive. Signature Society’s financial help has made it happen. We are thankful to Mr Sephron Mair, current CEO and president of Signature Society for prioritizing FOP in their fundraising efforts. The generous gift of $125.000.00 JMD enabled us to allow 80 students to participate in Kickers Club Shoe Drive,” Ogilvie said.

Additional donations for the Kickers Shoe Drive were received from the law offices of Steven F. Nesheiwat, Maher Fahouric, Michael O’Connor, Jamie Greenwald, and Hudson Valley Dynamic Counseling PC. Vassell Ogilvie is the founder and CEO of Hudson Valley Dynamic Counseling.

Ogilvie added, “We are always looking for partners and donors to help financially support GBJ’s lofty goals. It is quite easy to participate. If you identify a primary school (for example, your former school) and want help, please get in touch with Mr Hopeton Brown at www.givebackjamacia.org, and he will be thrilled to assist with explaining the programme. Jamaicans living across the diaspora, please represent your parish and give back. We have 14 parishes in Jamaica. We can do it.”