Mrs. Claus Visits Ladyville Bringing Joy to Families
Christmas came a few days early this year for children from Ladyville. Through a foundation out of New York, Mrs. Claus Sharmane Garcia has been out and about bringing cheer to the community. And as we found out today, over one hundred children will be receiving a gift and hampers will be distributed to families as well. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
It was a festive occasion at the Ladyville Police Station this morning as Mrs. Claus and one of her elves arrived in a pickup truck filled with gifts and goodies for the children. Members of the Ladyville Police Cadets and the children of a number of police officers were among the first to get a Christmas gift.
Sharmane Garcia
Sharmane Garcia, Zoila and Miguel Requeña Foundation
“Because we understand there is a cut with everything and economy and all of that, it is not necessarily that we are looking for those needy kids, people like say needy children, it is about bringing a little assistance and joy to families who are trying but just circumstances, things look a little dull. So that’s what the Zoila and Requeña Foundation has been doing. She partnered with this Belizean American, Miss Musa Menzies who donates official NBA hoodies and shirts and sometimes we get the pants and so on and so we go around and give these to the kids.”
The program has been ongoing for four years now. Aside from gifts, some families have also been receiving pantry goods, initially to help with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this week to make the Christmas a little brighter for select families in need.
Sharmane Garcia
“She started with twenty-five gifts. My daughter Taysha and myself we went house to house selecting people and that year it was raining so we really found the reason as to why Santa Claus and Miss Claus wear boots. And so we did that, she was satisfied. The following year, she said we will do thirty kids and a party, a Christmas dinner. The COVID really did a number on us and what we did was starting giving out hampers and we found different ways of doing every week two hampers. So it was two families getting blessed with a hamper. And the Zoila and Miguel Requeña Foundation along with her friends did that for the entire year last year leading up to a part of this year. Tomorrow we continue with the hamper and again, we’ve already selected families that we think could use this little blessing and so the cheer continues tomorrow.”
But this morning was all about the children, who, in the spirit of the season, were bursting with joy after receiving a gift.
Amina Burgess
Amina Burgess, 10-year-old Recipient
“I was really happy this morning to come. I actually appreciate it. Again it is not about the gift, it is the thought that counts so I really appreciate that they came all this way just to give me a present.”
Amarqua Arnold
Amarqua Arnold, 9-year-old Recipient
“I feel good but my mom told me this morning to come here and I am excited for the gift and everything and thanks to Miss Clause to come and give us a gift and I really appreciate it.”
Sharmane Garcia
“We still have a huge amount of gifts to give away so between my daughter and myself, we go out and distribute these gifts to families we think could use the cheer.”
Duane Moody
“So a hundred kids will be getting gifts this year and you also partnered with the police department?”
Sharmane Garcia
“Yes this year we partnered with the community police, Miss Carol Smith and she is always trying with the kids. I have to make the deadline so tomorrow is my final day ‘cause Misses Claus needs a little rest. So tomorrow, we will be distributing the balance of the toys.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
