"Daddy, Daddy!!" squealed Chantal and Corey as they ran outside to meet their father. "Did you get the tree, did you?"

"You bet I did," he said as he yanked the tiny, fragile looking tree out of the car. "It isn't as nice as last year's but at least we have one,"

"Don't worry Daddy, it'll be beautiful once we put all the decorations and lights on it," said Chantal as she gave her father a reassuring smile.

Even though she was only eight years old, Chantal always had a sort of mature and positive way about her. She seamed to be able to make anyone feel better simply by flashing them a smile. Those smiles always seemed to work best on her father and now it seemed that he needed them more than ever.

He had been laid off from his job at the Sonesta Beach Hotel where he had worked as a chef. Everything had gone down hill ever since Hurricane Fabian. Their father had lost his job and their home hadn't faired well through the storm either. The family had done their best to get back on their feet after Fabian but there was only so much they could do.

That night when Chantal and Cory got up from their beds to get a glass of water, they overheard their parents talking. "I feel terrible for them Janet," they heard their father say sadly. "Christmas is one of the greatest times of year, and I feel terrible that I can't make it special for them. What are we supposed to tell the kids when they ask why there are hardly any gifts under the tree?"

"It'll be alright", their mother said in a soothing voice. "Christmas isn't about the gifts anyway. At least we have each other. Just think about the families of those poor people who lost their lives on the causeway.

"I know," their father sighed, "But how are we supposed to explained that to an eight and a six year old?"

"I'm sure they'll understand, well maybe Corey won't understand entirely but I'm sure he'll get the idea."

"You're right, it's just that they love Christmas so much and for kids their age, the presents are a big part of it."

"They aren't selfish kids and if we explained things to them, I'm sure they will take everything just fine. Now lets go to bed, you need your rest, you're on the clean up crew tomorrow at the hotel".

The next Saturday while Chantal and her family were doing what Christmas shopping they could afford at a sale in Trimingham's, Corey spotted a man in a Santa costume. "Mummy, Mummy can I please go say hello to Santa, please," He begged as he jumped up and down tugging vigorously at his mother sleeve. "Of course you can baby."

When it was their turn, Corey and Chantal both sat on Santa's knee. When he asked them what they wanted for Christmas, Corey's natural response was "May I please have a puppy and a fire truck." But after he thought for a while longer he added that he would like their roof to be all fixed up.

When the man turned to Chantal and asked her what her Christmas wish was, she thought for a second and then reached up to whisper in his ear. "I wish that Daddy and all the other people who lost their jobs because of Fabian had their jobs back, or at least enjoy their Christmas.

"And I wish that every body that lost their roofs because of Fabian, had them back."

Santa stared at her for a second with a look of amazement and then said, "Well that is very nice of you to wish that and I'm sure there are many people out there who would appreciate that very much. I may not be able to do all that but I will see what I can arrange.

"Thank you so much Santa," Chantal whispered as she gave him a big hug and one of her famous smiles. "What did you wish for?" asked Corey on the ride home. "Oh nothing special," she replied. She couldn't help thinking that Santa may not be able to grant her wish but she figured it was worth the try.

On another part of the Island, the man in the Santa suit couldn't stop thinking about Chantal's wish. He was quite moved by her and wanted to help. Now Chantal hadn't known this, but the man in the Santa suit was actually the Honourable Premier Alex Scott.

After a day of pondering, Mr. Scott came up with a few ideas on how he would help this little girl's family and others like it. He decided that he would persuade local businesses such as Lindos, The MarketPlace and Miles Market to donate food on Christmas to all the families of people who lost their jobs because of Fabian.

Plus, he would talk to Toys N' Stuff, Trimingham's, Cooper's and get them to donate gifts to the families. He would also ask schools to start food and toy drive, as well as solicit whatever contributions he could from the Corporate Community.

Finally, Christmas morning came and Corey was the first one up. He ran through the whole house yelling "it's Christmas, it's Christmas!! Mummy, Daddy wake-up its Christmas!"

Their parents sat Chantal and Corey down to explain to them about the number of presents under the tree and the amount of food on the table. They seemed to take it well enough. Corey didn't seem to mind at all once he opened his fire truck.

When they were all finished opening their presents and had cleared up the wrapping paper there was a knock at the door. Chantal ran to open the door. "Santa!" she exclaimed.

There was Mr. Alex Scott in a Santa costume with a bag of gifts slung over his shoulder. There was also a woman behind him holding a tray with a turkey and all the fixing's. Chantal's mother and father couldn't believe it. Mr. Scott told them about Chantal's wish and about the ideas it had given him.

That Christmas morning, Mr. Scott and his crew managed to get around to just about everyone who had lost their jobs because of Fabian and couldn't afford very much because of it.

"We are so proud of you Chantal," said her parents as they each gave her a big hug. "Because of you, a lot of people had a much more enjoyable Christmas. Just because they knew someone was thinking and caring about them, which is what Christmas is about.