NEWELL, St Elizabeth — More than 300 children from communities in St Elizabeth South Western were fêted and gifted with back-to-school supplies on Saturday by the Todd family through their company Rural Roots.

The family, which is renowned for its yearly treats and building school infrastructure in the south-western section of the parish, catered to the children and their parents at the Rural Roots office in Short Hill, Newell.

Reflecting on the impact of donations, Rural Roots Chief Executive Officer Clive Todd Jr said the solar and irrigation company is located in the heart of the farming area and is committed to the people around it.

“Right after the hurricane [Melissa] we stepped up to the plate. We gave out water to the tune of $1 million, which was something we did together as the Todd family to support the community and to ensure that every household had a case of drinking water, reaching 100 households,” he said.

Regarding this year’s back-to-school treat Todd Jr, a fifth-generation member of the Todd family, said it included medicals, school supplies, food and amusement for the children.

Some of the children and their parents at Saturday’s back-to-school treat in Newell, St Elizabeth (Photo: Kasey Williams)

“Last year we did this as a family and it was successful. This year, with Rural Roots now open in the community, I decided to do it from the perspective of Rural Roots giving back to the community. We are not just in the business to make money — we are in the business to also build the community,” he said.

“On top of what you are seeing today where we catered to more than 300 children and more than 200 parents who have also been participating in the giveaways, the prizes, and the competition. Today we are hosting this event to the tune of over $2 million. We partnered with some doctors, nurses and nurse aides. We did back-to-school medicals for over 100 children. We have school supplies for over 300 children. They received a bag with books, pens, pencils, sharpener, eraser, among other items,” Todd Jr told the Jamaica Observer.

Clive Todd Jr, chief executive officer at Rural Roots, speaking with the Jamaica Observer on Saturday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

A voucher/ticket system was used to assist in the distribution of supplies, which allowed for a free raffle where “one child also received $50,000 to support their schooling”.

Todd Jr recounted his family’s roots in Newell and how the community helped to shape him.

“I am coming from a humble beginning, and I always got support from the people, so I am a strong believer in giving back and that is why I take pride in giving back to the community — and it is something that I do every single year,” he said.

Faith Williamson, a mother of six and resident of Flagaman, speaking with the Jamaica Observer on Saturday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

“I have to also thank our sponsors including Caribbean Broilers Group, National Bakery, Kyles Funland, JenRus Hardware, Redspeed Mobile, Councillor Karl White, Taddy’s Mini Mart, Member of Parliament Floyd Green, Grego’s, EWS Mini Mart, Lashings Villa, among a host of others,” he added.

Among the beneficiaries of the treat was Faith Williamson, a mother of six and resident of Flagaman.

She said she is yet to recover from the Category 5 storm almost nine months ago.

“The storm mash us up and affect us a lot. We are still not back on our feet because many people, just like myself, don’t recover from the storm so we are really appreciative for the help with the back-to-school [preparations],” said Williamson.

Charmaine Majurie, a resident of Beacon, speaking with the Jamaica Observer on Saturday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

“It is very hard because I have a little baby now, and is six children I have in all, and I am not working now, [while] three of the children don’t have [their] father around, as he died, so it is very rough,” added Williamson.

Charmaine Majurie, a resident of Beacon, also expressed appreciation for the back-to-school support.

“I am truly happy, because my garden was destroyed during the passage of Melissa and the house that I was living in, the roof got damaged. I lost all my things and I am telling you, it is a difficult time. I am so happy for Rural Roots for this grand opening and back-to-school treat. It is a tremendous help for us here,” said Majurie.