The Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation — along with local subsidiaries Bellows International, West Indies Company, Dorchester Insurance Company, TOPA Insurance Services, TOPA Properties and Leeward Islands Management Company — announced a substantial donation to the Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds for Montessori and International Baccalaureate education.
The announcement of the gift was made Monday morning at the VIMSIA campus in the presence of students, members of the board of trustees and the administration. Richard Berry, president of Bellows International, along with Theresa Fabela, president of Dorchester Insurance Company, and Michael Bornn, head of school, were present.
“The generosity and kindness bestowed onto our school is the ultimate display of Meraki,” said Bornn. He explained that this year VIMSIA’s school theme is Meraki — a Greek word meaning to do something with love, soul and creativity, to leave a piece of yourself in your work and to leave something behind.
The donation made to VIMSIA’s endowment fund will provide faculty support, student financial aid and operating funds not only now but for years to come.
“VIMSIA has played an incredible role in offering high level education to a highly diversified student body from across sections of St. Thomas and St. John. Many of these students attend some of the finest colleges and universities in the mainland as well as UVI” stated Fabela.
VIMSIA Director of Advancement, Pam Engle explained how these funds help make VIMSIA education accessible to all students and families who seek to participate in their globally acknowledged curriculum and international school community. “It’s been a difficult recovery for many amongst our community,” Engle said. “Our sincerest appreciation to the Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation for their kindness and generosity.”
The Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation is a philanthropic organization through which the Anderson Family supports educational, healthcare and other community-based organizations including UCLA, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and many other organizations. The Anderson Grants in the USVI have supported teachers and their students for two decades.
