Rosa’s Cantina and Chopstick’s Fusion are on a mission to make this Christmas a memorable one.

The sister restaurants have teamed up to raise funds for the Bermuda Foster Parents Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda.

And because Christmas can be a difficult time of year for many families, they will be joining forces to host a big community giveback event on December 18.

“There are so many children that don’t have any parents or any parents that can raise them, or the family is struggling to keep it together, so we just want to be able to help as many families as we can,” Lindsay Durham, the director of operations and human resources for both restaurants, told The Royal Gazette.

Ms Durham noted that there were more than 80 children in foster care on the island while BBBS assists 200 children through its programmes.

“This is our big give back,” she added. “The winter wonderland — the big giveback — is sure to be fun for all and we hope that this will make a lasting impression in their lives.”

The two restaurants have hosted a series of fundraisers for different causes this year and are now raising money for the two charities.

Together with Gosling’s they have created a special new “Winter Wonderland” cocktail, based on Disaronno amaretto with muddled blueberries and DeKuyper Blue Curacao.

Served in a frosted glass with a sugar rum, it is based “on the wintry theme as we are coming into the season”, Neil Mountford, Gosling’s off-premise sales manager, said. “It’s very more-ish. If you ask me, it tastes as refreshing as a snow cone on a hot summers day.”

Gosling’s had previously collaborated with the restaurants for the “Purple Promise” fundraiser in aid of two families with young children who had lost a parent. Mr Mountford said: “Following the success of the “Purple Promise”, we were happy to continue our partnership with Rosa’s in raising funds for a good cause or causes.”

The alcoholic cocktail sells for $12, while the non-alcoholic version costs $8 and all of the proceeds will go to the two charities. But Rosa’s and Chopsticks also have other initiatives planned. They will be setting up an angel tree in the restaurants, with each angel representing a child in foster care or part of BBBS.

Members of the public or companies will be able to take these and purchase gifts for the children.

“We know that Christmas is one of the hardest times of the year for families and this year we have decided not only to give money to these two charities but to help the children of Bermuda directly,” Ms Durham said.

“If people want to donate money, we will have members of the Foster Parents Association and Big Brothers and Big Sisters elf team going to different stores purchasing gifts.”

The tree will be set up on November 1 and the gifts will be delivered on December 9. On December 18, Reid Street will be closed from Court Street to King Street for the winter wonderland festival.

This will feature fun castles, face painting, food, refreshments and Gombey’s along with other entertainment.

BBBS director Patrina O’Connor-Paynter, also known as Power 95 radio station’s “Power Girl”, will be the event host.