One person’s drive to find toys for needy kids

Karistan Harris

Christmas is fast approaching and there are many families who don’t know where the gifts and food will come from. This year, a Belize City woman has taken it upon herself to try and make the holidays a little brighter for some of those needy families. Karistan Harris has launched a toy and food drive to collect items that will be distributed in December and she is asking the public as well as the business community to donate to the cause. This year is her first attempt, but Harris says she hopes to make it an annual initiative.

Karistan Harris, Holding Toy/Food Drive

“This is my first annual toy and food drive. Basically, it’s just to help out the communities that are low in income, single parents or no income at all. Were going for any donations; monetary, toys, used toys in good condition, any food donations to go towards the food package.”

Delahnie Bain

“And so how will these things that are collected be distributed?”

Karistan Harris

“Okay, they will be distributed on—the days that we have picked out will be on the twenty-second and on the twenty-third right before Christmas so that these families will have everything they need before this big Christmas day. the kids will have their toys and the parents, the families have a well cooked meal that they don’t usually have so we’re just helping out.”

Delahnie Bain

“How will you find these families?”

Karistan Harris

“We’re going with the community to let us know which families are in need so if there’s a family that they know needs toys, food, they can just come in or give me a call, stop by and we go out and give the parents and the community.”

Delahnie Bain

“So how can people get in contact with you if they know of a family in need or they want to make a donation?”

Karistan Harris

“Okay, my number is 620-0231 or you stop off at 155 Beltex Avenue Belama Phase one. So I’m just basically asking the community, banks any grocery stores, anyone in particular who wants to make a donation, just go ahead, give me a call and we can make everyone’s Christmas a little better than last year’s.”

Delahnie Bain

“You’re doing this on your own; what made you decide to start it up?”

Karistan Harris

“Well, it’s something that I’ve always been passionate about. I’m not this famous individual but helping out others will just be something that I would like to give back to my little community. It’s just something in me that I feel like I should do.”

Harris says that this year she is focusing on the Lake Independence and Belama areas, but she hopes to grow the initiative and reach more families in the coming years.