Marco Trucking Founder Shawn Baptiste is hosting two massive back-to-school events where an estimated 5,000 backpacks filled with school supplies will be given to children free of charge.
The St. Croix event will take place on August 25 at the Agricultural Fair Grounds from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and the St. Thomas event happens on September 1st at Estate Bordeau, also from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Baptiste, who is the founder of promotions company CIGA Promotions, said the effort is the first for his company as he felt like he had to giveback to the territory — especially students — following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. “The hurricanes passed, I fared well, so I always like to give back,” Mr. Baptiste said. The entrepreneur has long been an active member in the community, and has for years donated funds and equipment to the Queen Louise Home for Children.
“It’s one community that we have, me and you as young business people, if we don’t take hold of it and deal with our youths a certain way, then we’ll lose them,” he said.
Mr. Baptiste also intends to adopt one school in each district to continue supplying, and he’s choosing a simple way to choose the schools: During the giveaway, the school with the most students receiving backpacks will be selected, he said.
Students participating in the backpack giveaway events are to be accompanied by parents or guardians, and must register on location so that organizers could keep track of distribution, Mr. Baptiste said.
Free food will be served on a first come first serve basis.
Tags: backpack giveaway, marco trucking, shawn baptiste, us virgin islands, usvi
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