BelAm spreads Christmas joy in Belize River Valley

Every year Belizean-American Verna Clement returns home at Christmas time to spread some love among the children of the Belize River Valley, hosting a day-long Christmas event. She was born in Rancho Dolores and grew up in Bermudian Landing, and has never forgotten her roots. She first focused her attention on those two communities, but has now expanded her Christmas efforts to include communities from Flower’s Bank to Rancho Dolores. Every year more than one hundred children and parents spend a day with Clement and her friends, enjoying a day of games, gifts and good food. On Sunday, the event was hosted in the community of Lord’s Bank, and good times were had by all.

Verna Clement, Host, Annual Christmas Event

Verna Clement

“This is my way of giving back, because when I was little growing up, we didn’t have a lot of stuff that children have today, and some of the children still don’t have things, so I feel that if I can bring joy to some kids, bring toys to some kids that wouldn’t have gotten a toy, or wouldn’t have gotten such a good meal during the holidays, if I can bring them a day of fun and sports, that’s what I want to do. In the morning when the children come in we always have a prayers, then I introduce myself back to them, and then we start with games right away. We would have a table set up for them where they would have chocolates, candies, cookies – whatever they want, they help themselves. During that time we’re preparing the meal, putting lunch together. I have a number of my friends that help with it. We would play games…they would get a prize every time they win a game. Then maybe after lunch, then every child comes up and they get another toy, their gifts for Christmas. So I would give them that, they would get a bag of chocolates or candies…they would get books, pens, pencils. For the parents, because I don’t want them to feel left out, I would have a table with free raffle stuff, so like every twenty minutes we’d raffle something where we raffle a bicycle, microwave, sheets, blenders, plate sets, curtains, bathroom stuff, you know, things that people need in their home.”

One hundred and nine children and seventy parents took part in the Christmas event.