By JEREMY FRANCIS

Freeport News Reporter

City of Freeport Council Deputy Chief Councillor April Crowther-Gow and a sibling, on behalf of their entire family, on Thursday presented a cheque to St. Vincent de Paul School Principal Alexandria Bowe to replace the textbooks of 15 students whose school supplies had been destroyed by Hurricane Wilma's floodwaters.

Because of the hurricane's effect on so many of the school's students, the Crowther-Pinder family's idea of assisting one student at the school by way of a scholarship - conceptualized in memory of their late father, Enis "Uncle Bill" Crowther - was scrapped.

After Hurricane Wilma's passing, Mrs. Gow said that Mrs. Bowe approached the family requesting for ur-gent assistance for students who had lost some of their study materials as a result of the hurricane.

"We had a family meeting last week, in which my siblings agreed that we could definitely help," she said. "We're here to make sure that these children have the opportunity to continue their schoolwork with as little hindrance as possible."

Speaking to the 15 students inside of St. Vincent de Paul Church, Mrs. Crowther-Gow apprised them that her heart is with them during their time of loss and difficulty.

"You don't spend so much time in one place and simply walk away," she said, revealing that she grew up in the Hunters area and she, along with eight of her 10 siblings, passed through the school. "And, my fondness does not end there. I taught Grade 2 here as my first teaching assignment in 1992."

Because of their deep love for their "school, parish, and community," Mrs. Gow said that she and her family were more than happy to assist the students in whatever way they could.

Mrs. Bowe noted that Mrs. Gow and her family's assistance was timely. During a time when students' parents are possibly putting their money towards the restoration of their devastated homes, she said that the repurchasing of their children's school supplies would have more than likely been placed on hold.

"We know that this is a difficult time, and to ask parents or hope for parents to try to purchase the books again," it's really difficult, she explained.

"I am so grateful for what Mrs. Gow and her family did because I know that this is going to lessen the burden for our parents, for our teachers, and for our students. This is an effort that we can't even express our thanks for. The children's learning tools are being replaced, so it's remarkable."

Meanwhile, reconstruction to St. Vincent de Paul School's campus is moving expeditiously.

Subsequent to the storm last week Monday, the southern portion of the campus was completely obliterated. Huge boulders that once lined the body of water near the school, along with chunks of sand and seaweed, had been driven into classrooms on the south side of the campus by powerful storm surges.

The school reopened the following Tuesday, Nov-ember 1.