Civil Servants Make Donation to Jamaica National Children’s Home

The spirit of Christmas was evident at the Jamaica National Children’s Home in St. Andrew, on Tuesday, December 3, as the 2013 Civil Service Week Steering Committee handed over gifts of books, clothing, personal care products, and toys for the 77 residents of the facility.

The donation represented contributions from various government ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) whose members contributed some 40 boxes of items. Philanthropic organization, Food for the Poor, donated approximately 40 boxes of books.

Chairperson of the Steering Committee, Erica Barnes, who made the presentation to administrators of the Methodist Church-affiliated facility, said that as part of Civil Service Week activities this year, the committee deemed it prudent to demonstrate “social responsibility and care” by making a donation to a children’s home.

She informed that in order to ensure full participation by all public sector employees, the Committee decided to place boxes in all offices to facilitate collection of the various items.

“So, today, we just want to extend our hands of love through this medium, and lend our support in order to change the lives of the many children, who are accommodated in this home. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to exercise social care as we seek to transform and renew lives,” stated Ms. Barnes, who is also Director for Employee Relations in the Ministry of Finance and Planning,

Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Production Director, and 2013 Civil Servant of the Year, Enthrose Campbell, who brought greetings, commended members of the Committee and the wider public sector on the gesture extended to the home.

She also urged the administrators to continuously instill the true meaning of Christmas in the youngsters.

“Christmas (is) not just about getting (gifts), it’s also about celebrating the birth of Christ and giving. But…we are happy that we are able to give them these gifts (especially the) books which they should read, because education is important,” Ms. Campbell said.

In accepting the gifts, Deputy Director of Child Care at the Home, Rev. Bernice Eva Cox-Williams, said the items are welcomed, “especially in the spirit of Christmas.”

“It is important that they (children) remember that they are loved and so the clothing, the toys, and especially the books, will go a far way for us,” she added.

The home will, at a later date, receive an industrial washing machine, which is to be purchased with the proceeds generated from a charity brunch, hosted under the patronage of Youth and Culture Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna, on November 17 at Tarrant Baptist Church, St. Andrew.

The church service and brunch kicked off events marking Civil Service Week 2013, which was commemorated from November 17 to 23 under the theme: ‘Transformation and Renewal for A Better Tomorrow’.