GUTTERS, St Elizabeth — Organisers of the annual Mid Island back-to-school treat at the company’s service station, situated on the border of Manchester and St Elizabeth, say more than 1,000 children, their parents, and guardians were feted on Friday.

Mid Island Service Station was vital for scores of people in the southern and western sections of the island following Hurricane Melissa last October as it was one of the handful of places where they were able to access remittance, petrol, and other services.

On Friday it was the time for the operators of the service station to give back to residents with the back-to-school treat, followed by a health fair and concert on the weekend.

Kerrian Mahon (left) poses with her 10-year-old son Kairique Honeyghan at Mid Island’s back-to-school treat on Friday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

General manager at the service station Patrenia Kennedy said the company has been giving back to the community for the past four years by staging the treat.

“We believe in empowering the community and to ensure that the communities that we serve benefit from what we do, and so we do this every year. And it keeps getting bigger because the community members appreciate it and we want to let them know that we love and appreciate them,” said Kennedy.

“We are catering for over 1,000 children [thanks to our] sponsors including NCB, Wisynco, Zalco distributors, and GDI distributors. We also have persons who are just here partnering in terms of supporting the initiative so we have the banks on board like Victoria Mutual, the Manchester Cooperative Credit Union. We also have the Ministry of Health on board, which is critical, with doctors and nurses here for medicals,” she added.

Children were treated to rides on a merry-go-round and a mechanical bull, had fun in a bounce about and a foam pit, and received school supplies.

Children enjoying the merry-go-round at Mid Island’s back-to-school treat. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

According to Kennedy, no one left the event empty-handed.

“Whether the parents came with six or 10 children, they left with a package because that is who we are catering for. The ultimate goal is to put a smile on the children’s faces and to ease a little of the burden off the parents because we know people are still struggling and are having it hard, especially since the hurricane. This is our way of making a parent feel that even if [it is] six books they won’t have to buy, it is one less item for them to worry about. We consider them, and that is why this initiative is so important and critical,” added Kennedy.

Knoxwood resident Deborah Salmon welcomed the back-to-school treat, saying she is still recovering from damage caused by the hurricane.

General manager at Happy Faces Jamaica, Clenton White paints a child’s face at Mid Island’s back-to-school treat. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

“It is not just the children who enjoyed the treat, I had fun too. I heard of the event on the radio from last week and I told my daughter that I had to bring her son, who is my grandson. He is so excited. He loves the bounce about. I am looking forward to returning next year, if life spare,” said Salmon.

“I know Hurricane Melissa mash us up, it was terrible, but we are strong. I hope the best will go on for this year. The children get their check-up and it really takes pressure off some parents,” she added.

Mandeville resident Patricia Palmer, who took her 14-year-old daughter to the treat, told the
Jamaica Observer, “It means a lot to me. I like the back-to-school treat that Mid Island is doing for the children; it is my first time coming to the treat. For parents who cannot afford the medical care for their children, the free check-up offered today helps,” she said.

For Chenice McDonald the journey from Portmore, St Catherine, to Gutters was worth it.

General manager at Mid Island Service Station Patrenia Kennedy speaking with the Jamaica Observer on Friday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

“I brought all my children to enjoy the treat with all the offerings here. Last year I came from Montego Bay to be here, this time I came from Portmore to be here. I have my six children with me. The eldest is 25 and the youngest is seven. They got dental, medical, snow cones, hot dog, and basically everything,” said McDonald.

Pepper resident Kerrian Mahon said she has been attending the treat for the past three years with her now 10-year-old son.

“I have one child, so when I get bags I give it to other people. My son has been enjoying all the rides. This helps the children with their mental well-being, especially with some still traumatised by the events of Hurricane Melissa, it gives them some joy,” Mahon said.