A Lakers Christmas Party

It’s another Lakers Christmas Party in the Saint Martins Community since a brief two- year disruption caused by Covid. Organizer, James Young and his family have been hosting the annual event for ten years. It’s their way of giving back to their community and each year it brings out hundreds of children and their parents to feel the festivities just in time for Christmas. Sabreena Daly was in attendance at this year’s Lakers Christmas Party and found this week’s look on the bright side.

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

It was a celebration in the St. Martins neighborhood, as tradition came alive for the tenth time, following a two-year hiatus. The street in front of Lakers Kool Spot was closed to vehicular traffic, as some three hundred children made their way over to the party. The event, catered to the community, was organized by a group of friends giving back through the spirit of Christmas.

James Young

James Young, Businessman
“To me, Christmas is everything. I love Christmas, my whole family loves Christmas. So, for us we just want to give to the kids. The kids, we just want to give to the kids.”

Sabreena

“So, how does it feel to be here with the other kids getting gifts?”

Kid 1

Kid 1

“I feel happy and I feel loved.”

Sabreena

“First time here getting gifts?”

Kid 2

Kid 2

“Yes ma’am!”

Sabreena

“How do you feel seeing all the kids here in your community getting gifts today?”

Kid 2:

“Good!”

Businessman James Young is the primary organizer of the annual festivity. It’s close to his heart, but Young’s partnership with Belizean/American Glenda Trapp, as well as several others, has made the event a success every year.

James Young
“You have a lady by the name of Ms. Glenda Trapp that helps out a lot. She lives in LA and whatever we want, we ask her for. If we have to send the money, she will send it down. We do it, we try to get it one as quick as possible.”  

Glenda Trapp

Glenda Trapp, Organizer

“I think Mr. Young and Mrs. Young are such awesome people to do this for kids so I just want to make sure it’s always a success for them.”

And the volunteers are the ones who really keep the ball rolling.  Community members like Mark Reneau and Malu Balan have offered their time this year.

Mark Reneau

Mark Reneau, Volunteer
“This is for the kids. This is my fifth year. unfortunately, for the past two years because of COVID, we had to stop, but it feels great that we can bring it back again this year. The turnout was great; I think about two hundred and fifty to three hundred kids and adults. So, it’s always a great thing that we can help out the community.”

Malu Balan

Malu Balan, Volunteer
“I’m right here sharing drinks because together everything feels lighter. When we work in unity we can accomplish much. Many hands make work lighter.”

James Young
“Our thing right now is to build it bigger. We want to have a bouncing machine next year. we just want to exceed. Our expectation is to go to a thousand kids, really. That’s what we want, that’s our vision.”

And while the obvious satisfaction is plastered on the faces of these children, it’s the look on the faces of their parents that really shows the impact of the annual Lakers Christmas party. For some families, this annual event is certainly a Christmas gift for less fortunate children in the neighborhood.

Parent

Parent

“This is going into the holiday for the weekend and the kids are already anxious. So, this right here gives them a feeling that Christmas will be coming in a couple days. It’s an amazing feeling for me to see them happy before Christmas. So, it’s something really big to the community and as I said, it’s essential back here because we all know the level of poverty and it’s not an excuse but it is a struggle from time to time. So, it is something really appreciated and I myself as a parent really appreciate it. It’s the first time I brought my daughter and I look forward to it again.”

Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.