For the fifth year, schools and community organisations in Anguilla have benefitted from Christmas gifts and monetary donations from US nationals and tenth time repeat visitors to the island, David Small, his wife, Robin, and their five sons. Their contribution to the various recipients last week amounted to some US$20,000 in gift items and monetary donations.

Mr. David Small and family

This time the gift-distribution function was held at the newly-opened Viceroy resort instead of at the International Yacht Club at Cul de-Sac, the venue for four consecutive years. The new and more formal location gave the recipient school children, in particular, an opportunity to see the Viceroy project about which so much has been heard.

One of the groups of school children

The December 22 function was presided over by Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board, John Benjamin, who commended Viceroy for beautifully transforming the Barnes Bay/Meads Bay area. He was particularly grateful to Mr. David Small and his family who, despite the recession in the United States, brought to bear “their generous heart and spirit” to continue to freely donate to the island’s children and organisations.

One of the groups of school children

Coordinator of the Christmas gift-giving event for the past five years, Patricia Bygrave, gave an overview of the donations by the Small family over that period. “In the first two years over fifty children, between the ages of five and fifteen years, were presented with gifts purchased in the United States and shipped to Anguilla by the family. Additionally, monetary donations were also presented to several charitable and non-profit organisations,” she explained in part.

“In the last three years, the decision was made to reach out and include children from the primary schools. These students were selected on the premise of good behaviour and academic improvement. The organisers felt that this would be a huge incentive to students to exhibit good behaviour in the school environment as well as to perform at a higher level in their educational journey. This year, the same selection [process] was adhered to. However, a new segment, an essay competition, with three students to be awarded from each school, was suggested by the Smalls.”
As many as ten essays were received from some schools and, rather than awarding the top three essay writers from each school, the family undertook to award all of the entrants for their effort with certificates and monetary gifts. In addition, each school was presented with financial contributions towards an ongoing fund-raising project. As in the past, a number of charitable and non-profit organisations received monetary donations.

The primary schools which received the monetary gifts and awards for good behaviour and academic improvement were the Adrian T. Hazell School, Alwyn Allison School, Morris Vanterpool School, Orealia Kelly School, Valley School and Vivien Vanterpool School.

The organisations which were presented with monetary gifts were the Anguilla Foundation, Anguilla Youth Sailing Association, the Comprehensive Learning Centre, the Klassique Dance Academy and the Soroptomist Club of Anguilla.

Mrs Small making presentation to Klassique Dance Academy

Minister of Social Development, Evans Rogers, expressed the Anguilla Government’s thanks and appreciation to the Small family on behalf of the children, community organisations and people of the island in general. He commended the students for being selected for the awards and was particularly appreciative of the teachers for their hard work and preparing the children for the future. He was also grateful to Viceroy for endeavouring to complete the tourism project and making it available for the gift-giving function.

Others who joined in expressions of thanks to the Smalls and Viceroy were Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Bernard Wattley, Education Officer for Pre and Primary Education, Veda Harrigan, and Sandra York-Gumbs, Manager of the Comprehensive Learning Centre.

One of the groups of school children

Mr. Small called for a round of applause for the award-winning children for being leaders of their schools and for setting a fine example in terms of their behaviour and improvement as well as their creativity in essay writing. He also offered thanks to the principals and teachers of the schools and the leaders of youth and community organisations for sharing their time and energy in educating and enriching the lives of the children through various activities and programmes and for their participation in the event. His remarks of gratitude were also extended to Mr. Benjamin, the Anguilla Government, Viceroy and Patricia Bygrave for their roles in the function. He ended his remarks by introducing his wife as well as their children who range from 9 to 18 years.

Principal of Viceroy Resort and Residences, Alex Samek, said it brought much joy to him that Mr. and Mrs. Small and their children were enjoying their holiday at the property and that Viceroy had contributed to the honouring of the students. “Viceroy has been giving back to the local community since we started five years ago and we are proud to join with the Smalls who recognise the importance of giving back,” he stated.

The delightful evening was brought to a close by dance recitals by members of the Klassique Dance Academy in the walkway area, and refreshments at the adjoining Viceroy restaurant.

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