GORDON ‘Butch’ Stewart, chairman of the Sandals/ATL Group, yesterday donated US$25,000 to the St Joseph’s Teachers’ College in Kingston towards the institution’s refurbishing projects.

The money, approximately J$1.75 million, will be used to repair and refurbish some of the facilities for students on the campus.

Principal Hazel Keating said she was very appreciative of Stewart’s donation and pledged to send him pictures of the completed renovation work. “We are trying to refurbish the student lounges and the old hall which will be used for drama classes and productions. We also want to put up some gazebos on the campus so the areas where students sit to eat or to study can be covered,” Keating said.

“Students need to have places for relaxation where they can come out of their dorms and have some fresh air,” she added, speaking specifically about the gazebos.

Stewart’s donation was solicited as part of a wider fund-raising effort taken on by the school and was done through one of the hotel mogul’s former employees and current St Joseph’s student, Donna Haynes.

Haynes was a vice-president of Sandals Canada for five years but she left the hotel industry and her own marketing consultancy behind to serve as a teacher. She is in the second year of her bachelor of arts programme in primary education.

“Teaching is what I’ve always wanted to do. I think the country needs more good teachers and I think I can contribute in that area,” she said.

Haynes, who is almost 50, does not feel that her age should have been a hindrance to her career change.

“It’s never too late to make a change especially if it’s a positive change, for you.”

Other companies that have contributed to St Joseph’s renovation project include Digicel, Courts Jamaica Limited and Fidelity Motors.