Over the years the school has been faced with many challenges and it has been the goodwill of local businesses and some philanthropic residents and former community members who have been coming forward with supplies and monetary support required for the upkeep of the institution.
One of the latest organizations offering assistance is the Concerned Citizens for a Better McKnight, which is primarily comprised of former inhabitants who now reside overseas. Included amongst the membership are Lloyd Hendricks, Hildred Rawlins and Seymour “Tally” Davis who earlier this year released a book, highlighting aspects of his childhood days growing up in the district.
A spokesman for the organization indicated that they felt that the contribution would greatly assist the students and their parents, especially in these tough times of economic hardship.
The Concerned Citizens for a Better McKnight said it solicited contributions from former residents and other Kittitians, in order to present fifty (50) backpacks containing school supplies to the 4th & 5th Grade students of the school. A spokesman for the group revealed that each pack contained:
- 3 exercise book 2 glue sticks
- 4 pencils 1 large eraser
- 3 pens 4 pencil top erasers
- 1 sharpener 1 calculator
- 1 ruler 1 dictionary
A similar contribution was made to the 5th and 6th Grade students in September, 2011.
The gift packages were presented on behalf of the group by Mr. Alfred Kelly and Hildred Rawlins, all formerly of the McKnight area. Support for the initiative was provided many individuals and government agencies, namely: the Ministry of Education; Ministry of Finance, through the Customs Department, which provided duty free concessions; James Herbert; Wilson Paulius; Kenrick Martin; John Jeffers; Dr. Mervin Laws; Jean Boddie-Principal of the school; Karen Dickenson-Johnson; Alison Hector; George Adams; Ira Daniel; Verna Daniel; Deshea Daniel; Lillian Edwards; Joy Caines; Jemma Parris and; Denise Daniel-Mack.