GRACEKENNEDY will stage the fifth anniversary of its GraceKennedy Education Run on Sunday, July 14.

The company is hoping that this year, significant numbers will turn out in order to continue its mission to fund education initiatives through the Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation.

“Over the last five years of the run, we have managed to raise just under $9 million for our beneficiaries. This money goes mainly to tuition, as we have quite a few students placed in secondary and tertiary institutions,” disclosed GraceKennedy Group CEO, Don Wehby.

According to General Manager of the Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation, Frances Madden, “We are so pleased with what the money raised has been able to do. Now we find ourselves in a situation where our students are doing so well, that more of them than ever before are being accepted to university. That’s reason to celebrate, and also a cause for concern, as we now have to step up the fundraising to ensure that the opportunities they have, become reality”.

The foundation, commonly referred to as Grace and Staff, is sustained by voluntary staff contributions. Each month, whatever is donated by staff is matched by the company two to one. “Giving back has always been a part of the GraceKennedy culture, and I am proud that our staff members understand that, and feel the need to participate in this way,” said Wehby. Based at 64 Harbour Street, the foundation also operates four homework centres – on Tower Street, Majesty Gardens, Spanish Town (De La Vega City) and Barbican Students (and parents) in and around these areas are tutored in various subject areas by staff and other volunteers, including beneficiaries at the tertiary level. Counselling services are also available through the foundation’s resident Psychologist, Curtis Sweeney. Completing the team is a group of dedicated social workers.

The GraceKennedy Education Run saw 1,300 participants in its inaugural year – 2009. Last year, that number grew to approximately 5,000 entries. The company is hoping to top that number this year by at least 1,000. Planning for the run is on in earnest. The company hopes that after all is said, done and run, it will be able to keep the education initiatives going, so that it can continue to help students realise dreams and change lives.