THREE hundred needy students from inner-city and rural schools across the island started the 2009/2010 academic year with a smile on their faces and a positive outlook, thanks, at least in part, to the generosity of Scotiabank volunteers.

The bank’s staff organised a massive back-to-school drive that saw them donating school supplies, valued at just over $1.2 million, to 50 schools, under its Bright Futures programme.

The programme, launched in May 2008, has as its objective the improvement of the quality of life for children through philanthropic activities organised by Scotiabank staff with matching support from the bank itself.

“The programme grew out of a recognition of the hardship being faced by families across Jamaica. We were overwhelmed with requests for assistance and so we embarked on a project to assist schools in the communities in which we work,” noted Debbie Clue, manager for corporate social responsibility.

Over a two-week period beginning September 7 through to September 18, staff members visited schools to drop off the supplies and spend time with the students and teachers.

The small act of kindness had a huge impact on the children and their parents who were present for the donations at Jones Town Primary School.

“The students were all so excited and motivated to start the new school year. Our gifts were just special icing on the cake to get them going,” said Janelle Brown, a staff member of Scotiabank’s marketing department who visited a grade six class at the institution. “They were very positive about their level of preparation for the GSAT (Grade Six Achievement Test) and the results they wanted to achieve.”

The programme was also well supported by customers who dropped items in donation boxes set up in various branches.

“We are very grateful to our customers who supported the drive with so much enthusiasm. One customer in Junction donated as many as 240 khaki uniforms to the branch, which gave them to the Seaview All-Age School. Another commercial customer donated text and story books which the Negril branch gave to St Paul’s Primary School” noted Clue.

Many of the schools which were visited by the volunteers form a part of the bank’s ongoing ‘Adopt a School’ campaign and receive continuous support from the staff members as part of their monthly community outreach. Scotiabank volunteers are also in classrooms each year in recognition of Teachers’ Day and Reading Day.