Local lawyers hold Christmas party for Port Loyola kids

The spirit of the season continued in Belize City today as a number of businesses hit the streets to donate food and toys to needy children and their families. We followed our neighbours, Young’s Law Firm as they headed to the Port Loyola Preschool for an extra special Christmas party.

Gwen Jones, Head Teacher, Port Loyola Pre-School
?The Young Law Firm had called me, unexpectedly, I got a call and it was a blessing because we had planned to have a party, but I don?t think it would have been this big. And for these students that attend here, we try to have the best Christmas party because we don?t know if when they go home what they will expect for Christmas.?

For eight hours five days of the week, ninety-one children call the Port Loyola Preschool home.

Even with that high student population, head teacher Gwendolyn Jones says working with the children is a joy, a joy that has endured over her eighteen year career as a teacher. But she admits she had to teach the boys and girls exactly who Santa Claus is.

Gwen Jones
?We had tried to talk to them about Santa because some of them are scared, but we talked to them, sang to them and tell them a lot about Santa bringing them gifts and they were especially good this week because Santa was coming.?

This morning, Santa and his elves took the form of attorney Michael Young and his employees.

Michael Young, Young?s Law Firm
?I?ve always had a special feeling for Port Loyola and we had started the programme at Christmas. We had stopped for some years but this year I just decided that well, let?s do it again. The basic idea is that if people in the community, in the private sector and also the professional firms would just give a little. We have a lot of poverty and suffering in Belize, despite the saying that we live in a good country, and I really think that if a lot of people give a little, it?s going to turn out to be a lot.?

Aldo Salazar, Attorney, Young?s Law Firm
?It feels good, it gives you a sense of satisfaction to know that you are giving something back to the community, especially in a time like Christmas when it easy to forget what Christmas is all about. With all the alcohol and partying and stuff like that, it?s easy to forget that Christmas is a time of giving and family.?

The guy in the red shirt didn?t show up in the end, but by the look of it, the boys and girls enjoyed the treats and toys.

Gwen Jones
?I just wanted to thank God for the blessings thank he had done for us this year and we are asking for the community to continue to help us with our struggle as we go along preparing our children for the future.?