We have done it about every way possible.
Years ago we would bring in supplies in groups much like our list at home - crayons, pencils, colored pencils, rulers, pencil sharpeners and tablets and when we would see a mom with kids as we drove the hills in the morning we would stop and ask if they would like a school pack, it always seemed appreciated.
Then in 04 or 05 Coleen and myself were doing a drive about, I had in my mind I could drive up the back side of Dolphin Head, well we didn't make the top but as we came back down I noticed a school sign and thought we have a back seat full of supplies let's do a drop off. The teacher was estatic it was early in the fall term and she literaly did not have enough supplies for the kids.
Since then a little of everything everyway. The schoole needed play equipment to meet a standard so we brought in swings for their swingset one year. One year we got this ridiculous deal on back packs and brought in 40 some back packs with each person in our party doing a few per suitcase. Soccer balls are always a hit we buy them in Sav and one year the church ladies here had all of these puppets and stuffed animals that were a huge hit. We took in a DVD player and dvd's and I understand that they have movie night at the school upon occasion.
This is not the first time this question has been asked on the board and I can tell you in advance that some will say we should support the Jamaican business owner and buy there and I can tell you that we often take collections that are offered from differant groups that have seen our pictures and make the journey to Sav. That said I can tell you also that when crayons go on sell here at staples for a dime a box I can multiply my giving and I really don't think the kids understand I did not support a local business to do it.
As to the bag fee, yes money weighs much less, but we have decided that part of our sky miles gets us a better seat and no bag fees which we donate to second bag of supplies
And by the way money is accepted at the school and my heart has to tell me it will benefit the kids.
I can tell you if your heart is not better after a school visit you did not do it right.
