Golden Eagle donates shoes to Buckingham Primary
HAMPTON, St James — The Buckingham Primary and Infant School located in the quiet, farming district of Hampton in the hills of St James is the first recipient of the Golden Eagle I-Octane Shoes Donation initiative.
Students at the educational facility received the donation recently during a brief handingover ceremony at the school.
The initiative will see the Montego Bay-based company distributing shoes to needy students across the island, especially in rural area schools.
“We are aware of the challenges being met by less fortunate parents to adequately outfit their children with suitable shoes, and through discussions with our brand ambassador, recording artiste I-Octane, this initiative was crafted to assist these parents,” Peter Plummer, Golden Eagle’s marketing manager, explained.
A number of the students who received shoes immediately opted to don their new footwear, replacing extremely tattered and torn ones.
“Today we were able to aid 25 students with shoes, with plans to help others as the need was even more than anticipated. It is really a wonderful feeling, especially when you see the smiles and also seeing the students replace some badly worn shoes,” Plummer added.
He stressed that the focus on rural area schools was very important to the company, pointing out that in most instances these schools were sometimes forgotten.
Principal for the school, Marcia Findlater-Dixon, expressed her gratitude for the donation, noting that the need among the students was quite evident.
“I have been the principal for the last 12 years and this need has been a source of concern for me. The students generally walk to school and because the parents don’t have the means to properly provide for them, they are lacking in terms of proper uniforms and shoes,” Findlater-Dixon stated.
“It is evident too that the children suffer from insecurity issues, as the poor condition of their shoes and uniform affect their sense of belonging. I’m happy that they have been afforded this opportunity to benefit from this wonderful initiative.”
Parent Marjorie James expressed appreciation for the gesture from Golden Eagle.
“I’m very appreciative because my son shoes mash up and mi neva have the money fi buy it back,” said James.