Fundraising

Members of The Board of Directors and volunteers work diligently to present successful and enjoyable fundraising events for the benefit of the school. Over 75% of the operating budget is funded by these events, so they are critical to the ongoing operation of The Sunshine School.

Following is a list and brief description of each event:

Annual Auction

It all began in 1990 when Norwegian sailors Mariann Palmborg and Peter “Fixman” decided to "give back" to their favorite island, and held a “Marine Gear Auction” aboard their double-ended ketch Fredag. Cruisers brought items they wanted to sell and put a price on them. Any amount over this price went to the Sunshine School. Mariann said, "It struck me how many people just gave things and did not want to receive any money at all. Here was a chance to really make money for the school."

In recent years, more and more items have been donated that have nothing to do with the sea and all proceeds go directly to the school’s operating fund. Lately, in between the anchors, winches and deck prisms, appear paintings by well-known local artists, wall hangings, lawn furniture, jewelry, day sailing trips, hotel accommodations, wine and so much more. Donated snacks and beverages are sold and all proceeds go directly to the school. Several woodwork and sewing items made at the school are also displayed and sold.

The Sunshine School auction has become so popular that several persons book their vacations to Bequia to coincide with the event.

Heartfelt thanks to the management of the Fig Tree restaurant for offering their premises free of charge for the event. Special thanks also to the many volunteers who go through piles of stuff sorting and selecting items and for the hard work put in on the day of the auction.

The Auction is currently on hold.

Encore Thrift/Charity Shop

After struggling through Covid for ways to support the Sunshine School the idea of a Thrift store was discussed and our dedicated volunteers went to work to make this idea a reality. On the 17th of June 2022, we proudly opened Bequia’s first-ever thrift store called Encore. On sale, you will find a variety of gently used items, such as clothes, books, and general household goods.

The store was made possible with the sponsorship of Action Bequia whose aim is to help maintain and improve Bequia as a place to live in, work and visit. Donations to Encore Store can be made throughout the year at the School or directly to the store, which is located behind the Porthole restaurant in the harbor.

Encore is run solely by volunteers and is open between 9 am and 1 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during the Peak Season December to April, and Thursdays and Fridays only for the remainder of the year. Contact us if you are interested in volunteering.

Follow us on Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/p/Encore-Bequia-100083544243852/

Book Sales

The Sunshine School holds three secondhand book sales each year under the “almond trees” in Port Elizabeth. Books are collected throughout the year and are sold at very reasonable prices. Please drop off your gently used books at the Sunshine School between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm on weekdays throughout the year, except for school holidays, or drop them off at Encore. Encore, our thrift store also holds a large supply of books for sale.

A big thank you to our volunteers who help with this event.

Annual Jumble Sale

The annual jumble sale takes place in March each year. Who doesn’t love to find that special treasure among a pile of “stuff”? Clothes, shoes, electronics, housewares, you name it …. We just might have it for sale! Next time you are clearing out a closet or storage bin, be sure to do a little clean up then send those items on over to the Sunshine School!! Your discarded item is likely someone else’s treasure!! (Please do not send “throw away” items – we go through everything by hand)! – Thank you.

Coin cans

Look for the ‘Sunshine School’ cans at cashiers’ counters throughout the island. Every penny counts! Drop your spare change – it makes a difference! Find them at Bequia Beach Hotel, Knights Trading, Knights Supermarket, Doris Fresh Food, BOSVG, Wag Service Station, Bequia Venture, Revenue Office, Grenadine Sales, Sailors Café’, Caribbean Woods and other locations.




HOW YOU CAN HELP

The General Operating Fund

The Sunshine School has an ongoing need for support to continue operation. This includes payment of salaries, maintenance, utilities, special projects – ‘everything!’ Although the most effective gift is that of “general operating funds”, we understand that many donors prefer to offer specific ‘items’ or funding for a project instead. We hope that you will contribute generously and appreciate and THANK you in advance for whatever your HEART tells you to give.

Donations can be made to the Sunshine School using various methods:

  1. Visit us in person with a cheque in any currency payable to "The Sunshine School"  

  2. Mail a cheque to The Sunshine School, PO Box 90 BQ, Bequia, VC0400, St Vincent and the Grenadines, West Indies.

  3. Wire transfer to our bank account in Bequia - contact us via email for details.

  4. Via Action Bequia: this is a nonprofit organization working for the good of Bequia where UK taxpayers can claim the donation to Action Bequia as a tax-deductible expense because they are a UK registered charity. Please use this link:

    https://www.actionbequia.org/offlinedonations.php 

    Please don’t forget to specify where the donation is going - The Sunshine School   

Lunch Fund

Although parents are required to pay a monthly lunch fee (of $20 EC), this is sometimes not feasible. Interested persons may contact us to sponsor a child or children by the term or annually.

Donations can be made to the Sunshine School using the following methods:

  • Visit us in person with a cheque in any currency payable to "The Sunshine School"

  • Mail a cheque to The Sunshine School, PO Box 90 BQ, Bequia, VC0400, St Vincent and the Grenadines, West Indies.

  • Wire transfer to our bank account in Bequia – (contact us via email for details).

  • Action Bequia, is a non-profit organization working with many Bequia organizations, where UK taxpayers can claim the donation to Action Bequia as a tax-deductible expense because they are a UK-registered charity. Please use this link:

    https://www.actionbequia.org/offlinedonations.php

    Please don’t forget to specify where the donation is going - The Sunshine School


The Sunshine School is always in need of basic school supplies.

The school is currently in need of the following items:

  • Whiteboard markers and refills…assorted colors

  • Whiteout/correction fluid or tape

  • Card stock (paper) 8½ by 11”…assorted colors

  • Laminating pouches

  • HP 28 Tri-color Ink & HP 27 Black Ink

Potential visitors to Bequia may find this link helpful:

 "pack for a purpose"  https://www.packforapurpose.org/destinations/caribbean/st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-bequia/bay-tree-villa/ or https://www.packforapurpose.org/destinations/caribbean/st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-bequia/