News

Back to school will look different for Cayman’s kids, but members of the Lions Club of Grand Cayman tried to make the transition a little more comfortable for students at John Gray High School last week.

The Club, led by President Carmin Godfrey, distributed complimentary COVID-19 care packets to Year 7 students last Wednesday as part of a new initiative aimed at reminding students to exercise cleanliness to guard against the virus.

Godfrey said preparing Cayman’s kids is important when it comes to the coronavirus, especially as they return to their classrooms.

“Although restrictions have been lifted further, we still need to be cautious and continue with good hygiene practices. The Lions Club of Grand Cayman is aware of this and in an effort, help keep our children safe we choose to do this project. After all the children are the future of these islands,” Godfrey said.

The project, which was spearheaded by Marketing Committee chair Reshma Ragoonath and 3rd Vice President Patricia Forbes, was made possible with the generous donation of 500 masks and four gallons of hand sanitizer from Blue Water Medical. The Club also utilized money it garnered from its various fund-raising initiatives within the community to prepare the care packets.

Blue Water Medical Sales Manager Jordan Stubblefield said the company was pleased to able to help students as they transition to a new school environment.

“We decided to partner with the Lions Club of Grand Cayman because they do such an outstanding job working in our community and with our young children. Being able to provide PPE’s for these kids and keeping them safe during this pandemic is of utmost importance,” Stubblefield said.

The COVID-19 care packets were distributed at the welcome assembly for Year Sevens at the high school.

John Gray Principal Jonathan Clark expressed his gratitude for the gesture, since, he said, it made the occasion extra special for the students who were moving up in to high school.

“You know, coming up to high school is an anxious time anyway, at the best of times, but coming in after being out of school for so long, we want to try and do everything to make them feel welcome and that present from the Lions Club [of Grand Cayman] showing that they care and showing that the school cares is a lovely initiative and we're really happy to support that,” he said.

He said the school has partnered with the Lions Club on many initiatives including sight testing and charitable events and Wednesday’s car packets was “just a lovely welcome back present for our Year Seven students.”

Ragoonath said the Club wanted to do something different for back to school for local students and the care packets were a perfect way to send a message to students about COVID-19 while helping them stay safe.

“Cayman has done well in its management of the virus and we, as a Club, want to do our part to help protect students too. It was very satisfying to see the happy faces of the students as we presented them

with their care packets. While it is a small gesture, I am sure it will have a lasting impact,” Ragoonath said.

She said the Club plans to deliver care packets to another school soon.

If you would like to partner with the Lions Club of Grand Cayman or learn more about the Club’s initiatives, you can email the Marketing Committee at lcgcmcomm@gmail.com.