Red Cross spreads Christmas cheer to deserving children
With many families feeling the economic pinch, Christmas won’t be the same for the children. The Belize Red Cross, however, threw a party for a number of deserving children to put laughter in their holidays. They were picked from various schools and aside from the food and games, they went home bearing gifts. News Five’s Andrea Polanco joined in the celebration.
Andrea Polanco, Reporting
‘Tis the season for giving and few can match the generosity of Belize Red Cross. Today, they hosted one hundred school children, of age five through ten, at their annual Christmas Party at their offices:
Evelyn Landaverry
Evelyn Landaverry, Volunteer Manager, Belize Red Cross
“We are hosting ten less privileged kids from ten selected schools, like St. Ignatius, Salvation Army, St. Mary’s, and what we are bringing here is because of the season; the season of love, and peace and sharing. So together with my volunteers, we have coordinated this event for them.”
Andrea Polanco
“Is this something that the kids look forward to every year?”
Evelyn Landaverry
“Well, every year we’ve been having it. We are waiting for Santa to come in too, to be sharing the gifts. So it is a fun day that we want to bring to these kids.”
Josue Duran
The young students were first treated to a tasty lunch, played a variety of games and then came the highlight of the day, the distribution of gifts:
Andrea Polanco
“So, Josue, tell me what you enjoy the most outta di lunch today?”
Josue Duran
“Everything, miss.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, you’re having fun?”
Josue Duran
“Yes, ma’am.”
Andrea Polanco
“I know, you wah get wah gift later, what you wah deh eena dah gift?”
Josue Duran
“Anything, miss, just something special.”
Andrea Polanco
Joanna Ramos
“So, Joanna, you’re having fun today?”
Joanna Ramos
“Yes, ma’am.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, what you like so far today?”
Joanna Ramos
“The food.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, Mario, you just had a good lunch. What you enjoyed the most outta dah lunch?”
Mario Avila
“The cupcake.”
Andrea Polanco
“Why you mi like, the cupcake?”
Mario Avila
“Cause it was nice.”
Andrea Polanco
“Okay, so what you di look forward to later; the games or your gift?”
Mario Avila
“Games.”
Andrea Polanco
“I know unu wah play some games later, you looking forward to that?
Brianna Augustine
Brianna Augustine
“Yes, ma’am.”
Andrea Polanco
“So what else you’re looking forward to today, the gifts?”
Brianna Augustine
“Anything, miss.”
Andrea Polanco
“What you’re hoping to get in your set today?”
Brianna Augustine
“A doctor set.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, you’re looking forward to seeing the Santa?”
Brianna Augustine
“Yes, ma’am.”
Landaverry says that this year’s treat, like all others, was provided by the business community:
Evelyn Landaverry
“Well, this children’s party, every year we appeal to the business community for donations and this year we are really thankful for all the persons who contributed to this cause. Bowen & Bowen has been very generous and other organizations or other businesses that has contributed for this event as well.”
Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.
