Cruise Association & B.T.B.’s Christmas Party for Kids

About two hundred children had a chance to be merry. The Belize Tourism Board and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association held their annual Christmas party for needy children on Wednesday. They were treated to food, face painting and Santa was on hand with the goodies… and so was Duane Moody.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Some two hundred primary students from various communities in Belize City were hosted at an annual Christmas party held by the Belize Tourism Board (B.T.B.) and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (F.C.C.A.). The event which was held at the House of Culture was to give back to the less fortunate.

Manuel Heredia

Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism

“This has been going on for at least fifteen years—a partnership between the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association and the B.T.B. and they would bring at least two hundred kids from the less privilege area of Belize like from Collet, Pickstock and Mesopotamia and kids have a good time. The Cruise Association realized that they are making money with Belize. In return I think this is a wonderful gesture whereby they can show their appreciation to our kids.”

Andrea Polanco

Andrea Polanco, Media & Public Relations Manager, B.T.B.

“Basically Duane what it means is the B.T.B. giving back. There is never enough that we can do to give back to our country’s most important resources; our children growing up. Most of these kids they won’t get the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas that probably you and I did in the past and so we felt that it is only fitting that we continue to keep this tradition.  The selection process was pretty simple because most of these kids are school-aged and so the teachers and the principals from the different schools from the different divisions in Belize City helped us to select and also we had some input from certain community members.”

It may not have been the traditional turkey dinner, but the students enjoyed a plate of food, received gifts from Santa as well as face-painting by Misses Claus.

Andrea Polanco

“Not only gifts they are getting today, but we have a number of things lined up for them. Today we have Santa Claus and we also have Misses Claus who is doing face-painting. So that is something that kids enjoy; it’s not every day that they can do it. We feel that it is important that they get that today. We have music for them; of course we have a wonderful snack provided—lunch, drinks; everything—and a variety of games. And so really it’s not just giving them a gift, but it is also sharing with them what Christmas means.”

And for the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association representative, David Butler, it is just a testament of the successful relationship that the association has maintained with Belize.

David Butler

David Butler, Representative, F.C.C.A.

“We’ve done this often and we do this every year and we go to other places. We’ve been to other places. We just did Roatan, Guatemala in the pass and not only this ship; a lot of other ships from our fleet do that as well.  Belize, for us, is very warm place and as crew members we love to come here so we try to give back something. You guys are always so good and so kind to us whenever we come with so much hospitality and we love to see the looks on the kids’ faces. It is our privilege that you have us here. Believe me, we feel honored.”

Duane Moody for News Five.