Beecher Foundation celebrates 20 years of giving back

With the new term just weeks away, 44 students were given $9,000 each to offset back-to-school expenses.

The $396,000 donation was made on Monday by the Beecher Foundation, which has awarded students who excelled in the recent Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations.

The 2023 instalment saw Navara Savoury of Crescent Primary and Rusheed Chambers of Bermaddy Primary schools tied with scores of 346.5 in their PEP mathematics and English examinations.

"I am very pleased that my son has done so well in school. I pray for continued success," said Naketa Davidson, Rusheed's mother.

Head of the foundation, Claude Beecher, said the aim is to continue to honour his late parents, Mavis and Clifford Beecher.

"We are very happy to be giving back for the last 20 years. We are very pleased that we continue to touch lives in a meaningful way, and we will continue to assist," Beecher said.

"My wife Pauline and our loyal donors have played a great role, as it takes a lot to continue it for two decades," Beecher added.

The event was held at the Oneness Apostolic Church in Sydenham, St Catherine.

In addition to the grants, there were trophies for sectional prizes, such as Most Improved Student and Best Overall Student.

The Beecher Foundation was also presented with a trophy as a token of appreciation by Ruth-Ann Turner of the Homestead Primary School.

Other institutions whose students received financial assistance were Simon Primary, Horizon Park Primary, Cedar Valley Primary, Time and Patience Primary, Jericho Primary, Victoria Primary, and Oneness Apostolic schools.