Butterfield’s 5th School Drive Helps 200 Students
For the fifth year, The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited and its employees have committed to supporting local students and schools with a school supply drive. Typically the drive donation takes place in September. However, this year the Bank intentionally decided to distribute the essential student and teaching supplies in February, as supplies diminish.
18 primary schools and five middle schools will receive school supplies that include photocopying paper, cleansing wipes, hand sanitiser, whiteboard markers and pencils. Approximately 200 backpacks and lunchboxes were also donated, allowing the school guidance counsellors to provide supplies to students in need throughout the year.
In total, $11,000 was raised to purchase supplies: $9,000 donated by Butterfield and $2,000 raised during a Butterfield employee denim day. In addition, many Bank employees pitched in to help collate and package the school supplies for delivery.
A.F. Smith and The Phoenix Stores also generously supported the drive, providing the school supplies at cost.
Sean Lee, Butterfield’s Executive Vice President, Head of Retail Banking said, “We take seriously our commitment to supporting the community, particularly our young people. A very special thanks to the Butterfield employees who donated funds and helped to coordinate the school drive initiative.”
Mr. Lee also said, “Over the past several years, A.F. Smith and the Phoenix Stores have provided the supplies at cost. The collaborative effort helped us achieve even greater results.”
Minister of Education and Economic Development, Dr. Grant Gibbons, stated, “On behalf of the Ministry, I wish to thank Butterfield and their employees for their generous contribution.
“It is a timely donation and these school supplies will assist our students with their general classwork and homework. This type of initiative is a great incentive for our students and supports student achievement. We welcome the support from our corporate community partners.”
Tim Smith, President & CEO of A.F. Smith said, “It is vital that students have the tools they need to enhance their learning, and we are happy to support Butterfield’s school programme.”
George Grundmuller, President & CEO of the Phoenix Stores said, “This is a great initiative on behalf of Bermuda’s young people and we are proud to be part of it. We consider any investment in our children as an investment in our future and well worth our efforts.”
