Children Raise Funds, Give Special Needs Child Backpack Loaded With School Supplies

Project Promise students, barely out of elementary school, raised enough funds not only to meet their commitment of donating financially to Special Olympics, Illinois, but with enough monies left back to give a local special needs child a bag loaded with school supplies.

The presentation was made to the child, 12-year-old Niya Robinson, above center, at the Salt River National Park Visitor Center on Saturday morning, as part of Project Promise’s fun day event.

“They had a goal of raising $450 to impact the kids with special needs in the Illinois area,” Resa O’Reilly, founder of Project Promise, said. She explained that last summer the Chicago area supported Project Promise’s back to school supplies project, and Project Promise wanted to return the favor.

The students went above their goal and raised $1060, Ms. O’Reilly said excitedly, which allowed the Caterpillar Project kids to not only impact the children with disabilities in Illinois, but also Niya.

Juliet George, Niya’s mother, said she was inspired by the deed, noting that her child is one with special needs, and that inclusion is a big part of her life. “I spoke with [Project Promise] and they hadn’t even met [Niya], and they were willing to do this for her so it means a lot,” Ms. George said. “And she was here today to participate with them; that means a lot to me.”

Project Promise students also received school bags, provided by a board member’s cousin who lives on the U.S. mainland, while the supplies were provided by Dr. Regina Flippin of Urban Foot Care Center.

In other news, the Caterpillar Project students graduated from the Lew Muckle Elementary School and will be attending Elena Christian Jr. High School.

Project Promise is dedicated to bringing about positive change in our world, according to details found on the nonprofit’s website. Its vision is to give at-risk youth the tools and support they need to live healthier lives. Its objectives are to enhance their decision-making and conflict resolution skills, enable them to discover their vocational interests, and ultimately integrate them into society and our economy. And its goal is to inspire a future of excellence and success for youth throughout the Virgin Islands community and the world.