Posted by: Editor on May 14, 2005 – 11:29 PM
newsandinfo  Teachers at Bimini All Age School will receive roughly 400 pounds worth of school supplies next month – that is, if E.C. Glass Career Tech teacher Jeff Schleicher can figure out how to ship it all to the tiny island.

Schleicher was sure he could gather the school supplies that the teachers in Bimini need, but now he isn’t so sure he can afford the shipping costs. The items have to be crated and mailed to Florida, then shipped by boat to the island.
“We may have to do a fundraiser,” said Schleicher, who is looking for any ideas.

Bimini, which is just 9 square miles, is one of about 700 islands that make up the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Schleicher stopped at the island during spring break while sailing from the Bahamas to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

While there, he visited Bimini All Age School, and saw the school was lacking the supplies and materials needed. Bimini All Age School Principal Joel Rolle said the school needed literature books, art supplies, music stands, pencils, markers and paper.

When Schleicher returned to Glass he asked co-workers if they would be willing to donate their extra teaching materials to Bimini. So far 30 teachers have donated about 400 pounds worth of teaching supplies.

Schleicher expects donations to continue rolling in.

“I’m really excited for the teachers,” said Schleicher, who was surprised by the outpouring of support.

“I hope it turns into something we can do for them every year.”
Note: Amy Coute / acoutee@newsadvance.com