Holiday Treats for Children

Hundreds of children at several Children’s Homes in Kingston and the rural areas, were given holiday treats this week, as volunteers from the South Florida Diaspora visited the institutions to spread Christmas cheer.
In Kingston, toys, food and clothing, totalling nearly US$8,000, were distributed by volunteers from both the Clint O’Neil Needy Kids Association and Caribbean Music Festival Association, two South Florida-based organisations.
Some of the Children’s Homes targeted included St. Andrew Girls’, Alpha Boys’, Musgrave Girls’, Glenhope and Maxfield Park.
President of the Clint O’Neil Needy Kids Association, Elgeta Thompson-Martin, told JIS News that each would receive a specially wrapped gift of toys and clothing, “a delight of every child at Christmas time.”
The annual treat is now in its 26th year. Each year, the proceeds from the annual Grand Independence Ball, hosted by the Needy Kids Association, are used for purchasing items for the holiday treat, according to Mrs. Thompson-Martin.
She expressed appreciation to the Jamaican-based corporations for their assistance, annually. These include Air Jamaica Limited, Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS), the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel and the Ministry of Health (Department of Children’s Services).
Simultaneously, several children from three homes in the rural communities were feted at similar treats, hosted by volunteers of the Holy Sacrament Episcopal Church in Pembroke Pines, South Florida.
These included residents of the Clifton Boys’ Home in Darliston, Westmoreland; the St. Monica’s Children’s Home in Chapelton, Clarendon and Granville Children’s Home in Falmouth, Trelawny.