GREAT BAY--More than 200 students across St. Maarten received school supplies and other back-to-school support through Ingemar Arndell’s Annual Back-to-School Drive, which continued its focus this year on helping children and families facing difficult circumstances.
What began as a personal initiative by Arndell has continued to grow, providing students with school supplies, backpacks, shoes, free haircuts and other essentials as families prepared for the start of the new school year.
Special attention was given this year to children in foster and group homes, including Ujima, as well as individual families requiring additional support. Arndell personally coordinated the collection and distribution of the donated items to help ensure assistance reached those identified as needing it most.
The initiative was supported by several local businesses and community partners, including Gredits St. Maarten, CC1 St. Maarten, Halley Aviation Services, Reena’s Wholesale and Retail, Pennie’s and other supporters whose contributions helped expand the reach of the drive.
Special recognition was also extended to personnel at Reena’s, whose assistance helped secure school shoes for several families.
MLB Barbershop & Salon also partnered with the initiative to provide free back-to-school haircuts for boys from two foster homes, helping them prepare for their return to the classroom.
While the drive benefited from extensive community support, the initiative was independently spearheaded and coordinated by Arndell, who has continued to dedicate his time to supporting young people across St. Maarten.
For Arndell, the effort is intended to go beyond the distribution of supplies. The wider goal is to help young people begin the school year with confidence, encouragement and a sense that their community is invested in their success.
He expressed gratitude to every individual, business and organization that contributed, noting that donations, partnerships and other forms of support all played a role in reaching more than 200 students.
With the number of children assisted continuing to grow, Arndell is already looking ahead to the next edition of the drive and hopes to expand its reach further.
“As the amount grows each year, we continue to strive. Looking forward to next year’s drive!” Arndell said.
