IN the true spirit of Christmas, Gina Spence Productions in Christ answered the call of some of the island's needy.

The registered charity raised in excess of $1,000 which will now go to help two financially challenged families and distributed grocery hampers and other various essential items throughout the island.

All funds were raised during the charity's annual Street Fest, held on Court Street in Hamilton two weeks ago.

"There was a family in need and we were able to donate items to them. We were working with another family that needed assistance but they eventually received help from an exempt company," explained Mrs. Spence-Farmer.

However, that didn't deter the charity as donations were divided among two other families encountering difficulties keeping up with their rental payments.

"We worked very closely with the Single Parents In Action support group which basically supports single parents," she said.

"One is a family of six that we are presently assisting and the other is a single parent and a mother of three (children).

"We've received over $1,000 in pledges and so we are going to split it between the two families and pledges are still coming in. But we wanted to at least make those first payments (rent) so that they can be settled in for the New Year."

Mrs. Spence-Farmer said landlords of the two families also agreed to lend their support.

"I think that is very admirable," she said. "A lot of people say landlords just want money, but there are some out there who are willing to help."

This year's Street Fest, broadcast live on Power 95 Radio, enabled listeners to call in and make pledges of cash and various other items, including furniture, clothes and "just about anything else you can possibly think of", said Mrs. Spence-Farmer.

"The Street Fest was very successful and throughout the course of the evening we had over 1,000 people attend, and interestingly enough we also had a lot of tourists turn up," she said.

"Some were from Canada and Los Angeles and the Caribbean. The Mayor (Lawson Mapp) also dropped by and paid us a visit.

She added: "We've been able to take the money and buy some specific things as well as assist with housing. We also had a young lady (during the Street Fest) give her life to Christ. She had been separated from her kids and looking for another option on how to deal with some of her problems.

"And to me out of everything that took place; the money that was raised, furniture and gifts, that to me was all about saving somebody's life.

"If it was just one person that found the God that can help them through, then that matters most to me."

Mrs. Spence-Farmer also thanked those who supported the charitable cause by offering donations in various forms.

"I definitely want to thank all those who were involved in what we call marketplace ministry, we are out of the church," she said.

"They supported us in many different ways starting with their prayers and giving financial donations and coming there to talk and pray with people.

"The business community helped us quite a bit to pay for the event and all of the generous volunteers that assisted us. The businesses in that area (Court Street) supported us 100 per cent and we can't do without them and they can't do without us.

"So it was a real community effort and we just want to thank them and let everyone know that their pledges have not been done in vain this Christmas."