GraceKennedy Financial Group (GKFG) subsidiaries GK Insurance (GKI) and GK Capital Management (GK Capital) have partnered with the Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation (Grace & Staff) to give back to the Albert Street Basic School in Kingston.

Notwithstanding sweltering temperatures and hazy skies, a team representing the three organisations rallied together on Labour Day (May 23) to carry out improvement projects at Albert Street Basic School, to help the early childhood institution (ECI) bolster its Early Childhood Commission (ECC) rating. 

The project is in keeping with the Grace & Staff’s ongoing support of the ECC’s Raising the Standards initiative, which helps to bring ECIs closer to certification.

The team from GraceKennedy (GK) planted 35 marigold seedlings, representing the number of toddlers enrolled at the school. Weatherproof paint was used to spruce up the school’s play area, adding another dash of colour against the marigold petals. The school was also gifted appliances, bedding, and a mattress for their sick room, as part of the Labour Day project.

Heads of both GKI and GK Capital were on hand at the activity, and made quick work of the Labour Day tasks.

“This is such a rewarding experience, being able to donate time and effort to Albert Street, which is an investment in our nation’s future,” commented GK Capital’s Managing Director Patsy Latchman-Atterbury.

“For the past five years, GK Insurance has been focused on supporting early childhood institutions for the simple reason that we want to impact our nation’s youth positively. Where better a place to start than at the beginning?” remarked Chaluk Richards, general manager of GK Insurance.

To mark their 40th Anniversary in 2021, GK Insurance donated sanitation stations to the ECC for distribution to 10 ECIs across the island. 

During the Labour Day activity, Suzette Reid, principal of Albert Street Basic School, expressed gratitude on behalf of her students and the institution.

“This is a prayer answered. The school thanks you for coming out today to work, and for the gifts, they are appreciated,” she said.  

Sandrina Davis, CEO of Grace & Staff, explained: “Our mandate today was to demonstrate that GK cares, and no doubt we have achieved that at Albert Street. Thank you to the team from GK Capital and GK Insurance for contributing your time and effort; we hope to see the fruit of this labour of love for years to come.”