NASSAU, The Bahamas – Officials at the Fox Hill Urban Renewal Centre recently partnered with a member of the local community to deliver 21 pairs of Clarks shoes to children in the area – just in time for their return to face-to-face classroom sessions.

A regular donor to the Fox Hill Urban Renewal Centre, Mrs. Antonia R., said the decision to assist other parents and children who may be in need of school shoes for their return to face-to-face classroom instruction, in addition to those children who simply needed the shoes, came while she was purchasing school supplies for her 8-year-old daughter. The shoes came in various designs, colours and sizes.

“I thought about those parents who would have children returning to the classrooms for the first time in a long time and would not be able to afford to purchase shoes for their children because they are unemployed at this time. Though small, I felt that the donation could have a positive impact on a child/children in need of a pair of shoes at this time.”

The family’s willingness to make a difference was also highlighted in December 2020, when 8-year-old Alyssa decided to forego receiving Christmas gifts and instead encouraged family members to purchase gifts for a number of other youngsters whose parents were unemployed.

“She felt sad knowing that there were children who would not be able to receive Christmas gifts this year because their parents may not have had the money to purchase gifts because they were unemployed,” Antonia R. said. “She had already prepared a list of gifts she wanted for Christmas, but decided to forego receiving those gifts and instead purchase gifts for some of those children who otherwise may not have received Christmas gifts.

“This was a decision that she made on her own. She then approached me and other family members to inform us of her plans and to seek our assistance in making them a reality. It made me very happy, very proud, to know that she has a giving nature at such a young age and that she is willing to make sacrifices of her own in order to assist others in their time of need.”

Fox Hill Urban Renewal Centre Manager, Mrs. Sonia Kemp, applauded the donation, adding that the gesture left the children and their families beaming from ear-to-ear.

“The children and their parents were so excited to receive those shoes and everyone left with smiles on their faces,” Mrs. Kemp said. “Our partners have been a God-send.  Partnerships are always very helpful given the type of service we extend in providing social assistance to members of the communities that we serve. The government plays a major role in the delivery of social assistance through the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development and its various Departments, Divisions and Units, but as the Minister (Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell) constantly says, no government can do it alone and so these partnerships are vital.

“They help us to build stronger Centres, stronger teams, stronger families and stronger communities as we work hand-in-hand, shoulder-to-shoulder to meet and address many of the social needs of our clientele, our families and our communities across The Bahamas,” Mrs. Kemp added.