As part of its 75th Anniversary celebration, Antilles School’s Canes Care Day of Service marked the milestone with purpose on Valentine’s Day, offering a tangible expression of love and commitment to the Virgin Islands community.
More than 100 Hurricanes — students, families, faculty, staff and friends — fanned out across St. Thomas and Hassel Island Saturday morning for the event, putting the school’s core values into action. From beaches to historic sites, community centers to animal shelters, volunteers strengthened partnerships and deepened connections with organizations that serve the territory year-round.
Service sites included Bethlehem House, Boys & Girls Club of St. Thomas-St. John, Humane Society of St. Thomas, My Brother’s Workshop, The St. Thomas Historical Trust, The Salvation Army, Yellow Cedar Residence, Coral World Ocean Park’s Ocean and Reef Initiative, and YES Waste Management at Vessup Beach. Volunteers cleaned shorelines, organized donations, painted and repaired facilities, assisted seniors, supported youth programs, cared for animals, and tackled landscaping and beautification projects.
Canes Care Coordinator Megan Elliot said the day reflected the very heart of the school’s mission.
“Canes Care is about showing up – consistently and wholeheartedly – for the place we call home,” Elliot said. “Our 75th anniversary has given us many reasons to celebrate, but today was about giving back in a way that truly matters.”
Head of School Shannon Harris echoed that sentiment, noting that the Day of Service was a meaningful expression of the School’s legacy.
“This is education beyond our gate, put into practice. We exist to help young people become contributing members of this community and every community they’ll call home. We’re cultivating leaders and citizens who understand that where you live is worth showing up for and that civic engagement is as fundamental as any college or career path they’ll pursue,” she said.
In-kind sponsors for Canes Care Day include Chris Taxi & Limousine Service, and Bolongo Bay Beach Resort.
