THE Salvation Army Guyana Division, yesterday held its annual Christmas hampers distribution for the needy, when more than 500 persons gathered at Citadel Corps, South Road and Alexander Street in the city, and received the annual treat.

It was, as usual, a moment of great excitement for the recipients, most of whom were senior citizens or persons with a disability. The much anticipated mid-morning programme, was flavoured with the lusty singing of Christmas carols by all present, under the baton of Divisonal Songstress Captain Mireille St. Lot, while the Christmas story was told by Major Claudette Thibaud.

Sharing the joy of the Christmas programme with the people of the Guyana for the first time, were Divisional Commander, Major Vilos Exantus, and Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries, Major Yvrose Exantus, who led the programme. The two were last August sworn in as Divisional Leaders, succeeding Majors Sinous and Marie Theodore, now transferred to Trinidad.

Also spending their first Christmas in Guyana were Majors Ulrick and Claudette Thibaud, new Managers of the Drug Rehabilitation Programme, who teamed up with others to produce the programme.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Edward Boyer, assisted by other board members and officers of the Division, facilitated the smooth distribution of the hampers.

In addition to the hampers distributed yesterday, several others were presented to residents of the Palms, Brickdam, on Sunday, during an annual Christmas treat there. 
Over the next few days, more hampers will be distributed at other district corps around Guyana, taking the total number of hampers distributed this season to more than 1,000.

The Divisional Leaders and Officers of the Guyana Division, join the Chairman and Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, in extending best wishes for a merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year to all the people of Guyana.       

They also wish to thank all those citizens who have so generously given and continue to give to the Annual Christmas Appeal, both through the mail, commercial banks and kettles in the streets, or in any other way, supporting the humanitarian efforts of the Salvation Army.