Mac Donald College, “the pride of the north”, has many things to boast about: a magnificent view, excellence in academics and sports and _now, thanks to the MDC Ex-students Association of New York_ an Olympic size jumping mat, the only one in Grenada. The jumping mat and accessories which arrived in February of this year were officially handed over to the Acting Principal, Miss Lorraine De Allie by the association’s representative, Mr. George Philbert, in a brief ceremony at the school. The handing over ceremony took place at about 10:00am on March 19, 2012 just before the commencement of the school’s annual athletic sports meet. In her acceptance speech, Miss De Allie expressed her gratefulness for the items and reminded the students that neither the members nor their immediate family benefit from this donation. She recalled the days when the athletes jumped on pieces of sponges. From this donation, Miss De Allie is hoping that students would be motivated to emulate the performance of 2011 CARIFTA gold medalist Gennard Paul. She concluded her remarks by reminding the students of the need to show appreciation for the gifts received by taking care of them. After Miss De Allie spoke, high jump coach Gerard Cudjoe expressed gratitude to the association for its timely gift. Cudjoe pointed out that athletes could have been injured when disintegrated pieces of sponges were used for the high jump event. Representative George Philbert concluded the ceremony by charging the school to care for the state of the art equipment. He also outlined some of the projects that the association has in the pipeline which include refurbishment of the toilet facilities. The Jumping mat cost originally US$5200, but after President of the Mac Donald College Ex-students Association of New York, Mr. Lazarus Antoine apprised the owner of the sports shop of the goals of the association, a discount was given and the association eventually paid US$3362.95. Not only did the company reduce the price of the mat, but it also shipped it free of charge to the Compass Shipping Company which shaved US$200 of the US$1800 that the association would have had to pay to ship the jumping mat and accessories to Grenada. This is neither the first nor the only philanthropic act of the association. A few years ago, it donated a lawn mow. In January 2010, it donated gym equipment worth US$3559.94 and a Canon work centre which includes a printer, scanner and facsimile. Last year, it donated some Home Economics books, communication equipment worth US$1200 which include a camcorder, digital camera and lap top and financed the school’s first reunion. As part of the reunion, back packs and school supplies were given to the students entering school for the first time. It was also at last year’s reunion that the annual Academic Scholarship and the Donald Taylor Science Scholarship were launched. Each scholarship is worth EC$500 and three students have benefitted thus far. The association has also established a Special Needs Fund for necessitous students. From this fund, assistance is given to students with transportation, lunch and payment for CXC subjects. Clearly the association has been more than generous to the school causing one to wonder where does the money come from and how does being altruistic benefit the organisation? According to Mr. Antoine, the money comes the organisation’s two main fund raisers: the Atlantic City Bus Ride in the spring and the November Fall Ball. These funds are supplemented by donations from former students of Mac Donald College who are unable to attend the activities and members of the organisation. The association gives back to its alma mater simply to improve the lives of the students and to expose them to some of the things that they were not privy to when they themselves were students. It wants to continue working closely with the school so that there can be a better Mac Donald College, a better St. Patrick and ultimately a better Grenada. In return, they ask that the donated items be used to the fullest and be taken proper care of. Their final request is that their works be known to the tri-island state and the world at large so that they can help the school in a bigger and better way.