The St. John community is invited to a sunset fundraiser at Coconut Coast Studios on Frank Bay on Friday, to benefit Miss Pat’s Afterschool Program. The free, two-hour event begins at 5 p.m. and includes a raffle, door prizes, and finger food provided by Roti King and Sam and Jack’s.

If you haven’t heard about the program, that’s not surprising. It’s a quieter outgrowth of the Dynamic Dancers — a group of youngsters who perform at community events — which is also directed by Loraine “Miss Pat” Richards. She started the tutoring program four years ago to help her young dancers meet their academic goals, and since then, it’s taken on a life of its own.

In 2022, the program joined with the Boys and Girls Club of St. Thomas. When Richards’ association with that organization ended, she kept the program alive with donations from community members and volunteer tutors.

Now every afternoon when the school bell rings, 25 young students, mostly from the Julius E. Sprauve School, meet up with their buddies, and with the help of some seventh and eighth graders, they make their way across Cruz Bay to get help with their homework.

They gather at the pavilion near the Virgin Islands National Park playground, where “Miss Pat” gives them a snack, a pencil, and worksheets in math and language arts if they don’t have specific assignments to complete. When their work is over, the playground is theirs to enjoy.

“A lot of the teachers are complaining that the kids don’t come to school with supplies,” Richards said, “So before they leave for the day, I check their backpacks to make sure they have a copybook, markers, or whatever they need for school the following day.”

Richards volunteers her time, but the cost of snacks and school supplies keeps mounting. When news of their needs reached the St. John Social Action Team, members decided to hold a fundraiser.

Erin Lieb, one of the organizers of the event, said she liked the idea of “a free community event, a family-friendly happy hour that showcases what we’re doing to uplift other organizations on island,” she said.

The raffle is the center of the fundraiser. Prizes include a handmade throw quilt by fabric artist Carolyn Nunes and gift baskets including jewelry, meals at local restaurants, and assorted other items.

Tickets to the raffle are $5 each, or five for $20, and are on sale at the event.

Richards is always looking for volunteers to help tutor the youngsters in her program. The current slate of volunteers includes a senior from the Gifft Hill School, a veterinarian, and a retired magistrate. “I appreciate everyone, and everyone is welcome,” she said.

The St. John Social Action Team is also sponsoring a holiday food drive. Donations of canned goods can be made at Holiday Homes across from Starfish Market, at Dolphin Market in Cruz Bay, or at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Cruz Bay.