Pine Peace School used a unique combination of resources on Saturday to raise funds for a new library and learning center. The ‘Net-a-thon' combined a live event at the Ackley Communications site on top of Crown Mountain with broadcasting over both WIVI-96 radio and VIAccess, the Ackley Internet service provider.
Students from the St. John school enveloped the Ackley site on the beautiful afternoon, playing games, listening to the bands, and checking out the broadcast booth and the computer link set-up.
Steve Walker, teacher and development director at Pine Peace, is a former Sts. Peter and Paul student who left the Virgin Islands in the late '70s only to return home in the '90s.
Walker said, "I traveled the world only to find my greatest rewards working with kids back here in the Virgin Islands."
"That's what this is all for," Walker continued. "Funding will help us purchase books and equipment to help prepare these kids for the future."
St. John businesses and individuals have donated materials and time for shelves in the new Learning Center, but $75,000 is required to fill the learning center with books and equipment.
The event, sponsored by ScotiaBank, had raised $2,000 by phone on Saturday afternoon. There was also a donation jar at the site for patrons enjoying cold drinks and food at the event.