XL Foundation Donates $30,000 To Victor Scott
Following news that Government would not provide the funds, XL Foundation stepped up this morning [July 6] with a $30,000 donation to Victor Scott Primary School, in order to provide funding for their summer school program which helps over 40 children with learning difficulties, and emotional or behavioral problems.
In addition to this corporate donation and other donations, School Principal Mrs Valerie Williams said that “two church pastors walked in and gave substantial donations”, namely First Church of God, and Mt Zion AME. She thanked them, and others in the community who donated and said she really wants to thank the XL Foundation as their donation “put them over the edge”. Mrs Williams also thanked her staff for “their hard work and tenacity in bringing this dream to fruition”.
Pictured below left to right is: Amanda Outerbridge [Executive Director of XL Foundation], Patrick Tannock [President of XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd], Stephen Outerbridge [XL Foundation Chairman], Valerie Williams [Victor Scott Principal], Wendisha Phillips [Victor Scott therapist], Wendy Dill [PTA] and Tresca Trott [Victor Scott school counselor].
The summer program is for learning support, and comprimises morning sessions of academics taught by teachers, and afternoons of functional and social sessions taught by therapists. Thanks to the XL and other donations, all students will now be able to attend the sessions completely free of charge.
Stephen Outerbridge, XL Foundation Chairman, spoke saying the summer school is a great program and that the XL Foundation was very pleased to help out. He also congratulated the teachers and PTA for being so determined to take the program forward. He is shown below meeting and viewing some of the students work:
Also in attendance saying he was there “in support” was Kevin Monkman, Permanent Secretary of Education. Mr Monkman said that both the Ministry and the Department of Education are very supportive of this development, and praised how positive it is for the students. Also in attendance in support was Director of Accountability Dr Lou Matthews, who is himself a Victor Scott alumni.
Patrick Tannock, President of XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd, spoke commending the program and saying that as far as providing assistance “they absolutely could not say no”. Mr Tannock also said he is proud to be associated with an organization that can make decisions quickly and respond to the needs of the community.
This isn’t the first time this year that one of Bermuda’s businesses has stepped up to assist following lack of Government funding. In April Allied World wrote a $20,000 check to the Bermuda Autism Support & Education [BASE] less than 48 hours after a Government error in saying they would award the charity a $20,000 donation.
Victor Scott is the Best!