Jamaica Red Cross brings Cheer during Christmas Season
As is customary during this season the Jamaica Red Cross reached out in a special way to those who needed help the most. This year there was a different twist as the organization hosted a Christmas Treat on Thursday December 28, 2006 in Port Maria, St. Mary for the persons affected by the floods in November. Staff and volunteers distributed cooked meals and food packages among other goodies to over 100 of the flood victims. The Psychosocial Support Team of the Jamaica Red Cross headed by Dr. Angela Gordon-Stair was also on hand to provide service since the activity was designed to be more than just an opportunity for handouts. The clients were provided with coping skills to deal with their recent losses in the floods. Angella Wellington, Director of the branch noted that it was gratifying that the emotional health of the people was not overlooked, she smiled as she reported that the comments from the community members were all positive “they said the Red Cross was ever present and they appreciate that”.
On Christmas Day, the Jamaica Red Cross fed approximately 180 persons including the elderly, the homeless and those on the Red Cross Meals on Wheels Programme. Red Cross volunteers took time out from their own family gatherings to prepare and deliver a special meal and also to give out care packages to homeless on the streets of downtown Kingston and lonely, elderly, infirm people who had no one else to care.
Director General of the Jamaica Red Cross Miss Yvonne Clarke noted “the Red Cross realized that every year different organizations have various treats two or three weeks before Christmas. However most of these unfortunate persons do not have a cooked meal to look forward to on Christmas day or after.”
In addition to the visits on Christmas Day, several branches of the Jamaica Red Cross also hosted Christmas treats throughout the season. The St. Catherine branch hosted its annual treat on December 22 for the children of the Dare to Care Home, the home in Spanish Town, St. Catherine for children living with HIV. The event treated over 30 HIV positive children to food, games, fun and fellowship. The Kingston & St. Andrew branch also hosted its annual treat for approximately 200 persons including the elderly, beneficiaries of the Meals on Wheels programme and shut-ins. The treat was held on Wednesday December 13, 2006 at the Kingston & St. Andrew branch. The Red Cross gave out cooked meals, ice cream and Christmas gifts.
The Jamaica Red Cross also hosted a Christmas Treat for the students of the Expanding Educational Horizons Programme (EEHP) on Thursday December 14, 2006 at the National Headquarters. The Red Cross gave the children Christmas gifts including games, clothing, and other goodies. The EEHP is one of the youth development programmes the Red Cross operates through the support of People’s Action Committee for Transformation (PACT).
During this and other Christmas Seasons, in the last five years, approximately 4000 individuals’ lives are brighter because they know they can always count on the Red Cross to be there with smiles, food, goodies and a lot of Christmas cheer!
The Jamaica Red Cross is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) which has 186 member societies worldwide. The Jamaica Red Cross through its network of dedicated volunteers aims to “improve the lives of the most vulnerable.”
**************************************************************************
For further information please contact the Jamaica Red Cross National Headquarters at
Tel: 984-7860-2, Fax: 984-8272 or Email: tdasilva@jamaicaredcross.org
|
