We still give even in tough times
Thousands of toys and Christmas dinners will be enjoyed tomorrow thanks to the hard work of the Island’s charities and the kind donations from the public.Major Shawn Critch of the Salvation Army said that this year’s Christmas drive was able to collect around 2,800 toys and affect the lives of 1,450 needy families around the Island.“I would anticipate the total value of assistance being approximately $200,000,” Major Critch said. “We had 935 children under 12 years of age receive toys through the programme, and around 3,300 adults received some support.“It has been a long standing commitment of The Salvation Army to step into the gap for many families during Christmas and throughout the year.“The generosity of the residents, local and international business community each year makes this possible. It represents a significant partnership where shared values are celebrated.“In tough times, people are appreciative of the assistance received. If a new toy brings a smile to the face of a child then we have been successful.“It might not change their world but it certainly helps during one of the most celebrated times of the year.”Along with the Christmas Assistance Programme, Major Critch said the Salvation Army provided a Christmas dinner through its Golden Milers seniors programme, which is held monthly at North Street Citadel.“It was great to share with a group of approximately 120 seniors earlier in December. Also, we host a Christmas community meal programme and this year the event provided a full Christmas dinner and gifts to approximately 200 individuals.“It was also great to have some of the employees of Digicel Bermuda volunteer and participate in the evening with us as part of their seventh anniversary celebrations.”While the successes of the season left Major Critch in high spirits, he noted that the organisation was still short of its overall fundraising goal for the year.“For the year itself, we are down in donations by $75,000 from where we needed to be,” he said. “We are putting a push on. We had hoped that we would reach our goal by December 25, but we will keep going out there.“I am confident that we will meet our campaign goal in the days following Christmas and ultimately our year-end goal of $1.1 million by March 31, 2013.”Nicola Feldman, Executive Director of the Coalition for the Protection of Children, said: “Now that the election is over we can return to enjoying the Christmas spirit.“We want to thank Coldwell Banker for their amazing toy drive which collected over 2,500 gifts for children whose parents find themselves in financial difficulties.“So many companies and individuals have already shared in the joy of giving this Christmas, but with the need being so great, we are still looking for additional support.”Along with financial donations for their various programmes, including their Breakfast Programme, the organisation is still looking for Belco vouchers, non-perishable food and gift certificates to the English Sports Shop to help provide schoolchildren with uniforms.“We thank all of our donors and volunteers for supporting the work that we do and wish all of the community and happy and healthy holiday,” she added.Executive director of the Family Centre Martha Dismont said the generosity of the community should be celebrated.“Family Centre received the most precious gift ever this year — an outpouring of support from many diverse sectors of the community in response to our need to raise $200,000 to erase the revenue hole left by Government’s cutting of our grants,” she said.“Individuals, led by Kirk Kitson, provided donations, as well as PTAs, local companies like Gorham’s, Devonshire Parish Council, and international corporate companies like Partner Re, Validus Re, Lancashire, Marsh IAS, Arch Re, Argo and others who gave extra or made Family Centre the beneficiary of a Denim Day or a raffle.”Ms Dismont said she was overwhelmed by the support, noting that the Centre has been able to assist between 600 and 700 children and their families over the course of the year.Useful websites: www.salvationarmy.ca/bermuda, www.coalition.bm, www.tfc.bm.
Phenomenal Women’s Association plans to visit 100 lonely seniors this week
By Owain Johnston-Barnes
Former radio personality Kristy “Miss Thang” Burgess this week took the Christmas spirit door-to-door in an effort to support the Island’s seniors.
Ms Burgess, along with the Phenomenal Women’s Association, spend the week visiting dozens of the Island’s forgotten seniors, who have suffered through the economic downturn.
Ms Burgess said that so far, they have visited 45 seniors, and will continue to make visits over the next week.
“Most of the seniors were surprised to receive our call and excited when we showed up bearing gifts,” she said. “They all had many stories but with every story we felt loved and appreciated.
“One lady we visited was excited and in tears. She explained that she receives a bit of assistance but she doesn’t have any family and very few friends so many times she feels alone.
“She went on to say that we have blessed her tremendously and she is very grateful.
“Upon leaving she asked can she call us sometime and I smiled widely and said yes! This experience thus far has been overwhelming and humbling to say the least.”
In total, she said the group hopes to visit 100 seniors by New Years.
“In our research most of our seniors asked for vouchers to assist them with groceries, Belco and medication only a handful requested hampers or a small care package.
“We will be donating up until Christmas and in the New Year we will bless more seniors in need. We have found that many seniors make it through Christmas but have extreme difficulty come January and February.”
During the Christmas season, she said that the focus generally tends to be on the children.
The Wishes for Seniors programme, however, is hoped to help repay the seniors who have given so much to society.
On the first day of giving, Ms Burgess said she was pleasantly surprised to meet Earl ‘Townsey’ Russell, a veteran footballer who will be turning 84 later this month.
“He was full of smiles and just as jolly as he could be,” she said. “We presented him with two cases of water, cookies which are his favourite and vouchers for Belco and Market Place.
Between his glossy eyes and his bright smile he whispered: ‘Thank you for remembering me and especially our seniors because sometimes people have a tendency to forget.’
“Between the tears and hugs, I realised once again that we have so much to be grateful for. Some of our seniors are very proud, but today they put any if all reservations aside and were extremely thankful and gracious.
“As most people know The Phenomenal Women’s Association and I have blessed many families and children throughout the island but the joy and gratitude we experience yesterday donating to our seniors will be a memory we will never forget.”
Those who wish to help can send vouchers or gift cards to P. O. Box HM 2061, Hamilton HM HX or HSBC account at 010 758381 012.
