Dear Sir,

Please permit me the time and space to respond to a letter written to the editor section of Monday, September 28 edition of The Royal Gazette.

The letter suggests that Premier Michael Dunkley should have done more to support the Back-to-School Extravaganza.

The organisers, Caines Brothers, Five Star Barber Shop and the Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc would like to thank Dunkley’s Dairy for their support of the Back-to-School initiative for the past few years.

Without fanfare, Premier Dunkley’s company donated all of the beverages (water, juices and soda) as well as some snacks for the attendees throughout the day.

It should also be noted that the Premier made a personal donation to the cause. There was also bipartisan political support with Opposition Leader Mr Marc Bean and his team has been very active and supportive since the event’s inception in 2013.

The Back-to-School initiative is a significant community event with 22 volunteer barbers, 18 hair stylists and over 50 volunteers, who without their support and dedicated volunteerism, the day would not be a success.

We also had tremendous buy-in from our community partners and we again would like to thank Sunlife Financial International, Security Associates, South Shore Hospitality Group, Atlantic Vision Care, St Paul’s AME, Dunkley’s Dairy, the Supermart, the Cake Shop, Sunshine Company and all of those individuals who made personal donations.

The event was a resounding success with 425 boys and 135 girls being served and 715 school bags were distributed. The goal is simple, to create a fun atmosphere where our students feel valued and loved and they understand that as our theme for this year states, “We Believe in You”.

DESHAY CAINES

Event spokesperson