FUN galore reigned at Malgre Tout Roman Catholic Church compound last Monday, when more than 200 dandily dressed cuties bubbling with energy and enthusiasm came together for their sixth annual Christmas Party, hosted by Comfort Sleep – Guyana’s lead manufacturer of spring-filled and foam mattresses.

Those children, who all benefit additionally from school feeding programmes sponsored by Comfort Sleep, were drawn from Malgre Tout Primary, La Grange Primary, Bagotville and La Parfaite Harmonie Primary schools on the West Bank of Demerara.
With faces aglow with expectation, and eyes dancing with excitement, the children turned up at the venue brimming with confidence, knowing that their trusted donors had a real treat in store for them.
They were treated to a sumptuous Christmas meal, and ice cream, a variety of beverages, snack foods and take-away party bags as well.
It was Comfort Sleep’s second Christmas party for the season. The first was held at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre last week; and none too tired, good old Santa Claus was on hand, jolly as ever, to distribute toys to literally hundreds of children at both parties, ensuring that every child present received a gift. And each of those who could not attend was still assured of a gift, compliments of Comfort Sleep.
On hand to supervise the children were teachers from their respective schools, who did a fantastic job of ensuring they all had fun in a disciplined and orderly fashion.
A dedicated and enthusiastic corps of 12 volunteers, mostly retirees from the schools now benefiting from the programme, prepared the meals and decorated the venue, finding joy in serving the children. They joyfully look forward to undertaking this task; and by 05:00 hrs, had commenced cooking and decorating the outdoor Christmas tree in the pouring rain.
“We prayed about it, and see, God has changed the weather for the children,” they agreed.
Sponsor of the treat, Mr. Dennis Charran, Managing Director of Comfort Sleep, was also on hand to greet the children and share their Christmas euphoria. For him, it was a greatly rewarding moment. Desiring to add that personal touch to the children who mean so much to him, he helped to distribute their take-away party bags, to the children’s profound delight.
The third and final party to be hosted by Comfort Sleep for this season was held at the Church of the Ascension in New Amsterdam last Thursday. It catered for hundreds more from the Ascension and Edinburgh Primary schools in East Berbice.
Mrs. Mala Charran, wife of Mr. Dennis Charran, and their daughter Nikita, attended that special occasion, enhancing the cheer and joy of the excited children, who showed great appreciation for their presence.
The Charran family mingled with the children and the volunteers who worked to make the party a success, and also expressed gratitude to the leaders of the church for their collaboration.
Comfort Sleep has been holding these parties to bring cheer to the less fortunate children for the last six years or so, while conducting schools’ feeding programmes thrice per week in at least six schools in Regions 3 and 6. The company has also been making in-kind donations to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre for about the last 16 years.
And what a joy it is for the children to be assured that there are people who care about their welfare!
Other humanitarian initiatives undertaken by Comfort Sleep include: ‘The spread of Easter Joy with Children’, and the distribution of ‘take home’ hampers during the August holidays. The schools benefitting from these gestures are:

* The St. John’s Basco Orphanage at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara
* The Edinburgh Primary School in East Bank, Berbice
* The Friends Primary School in East Bank, Berbice
* The La Grange Primary School at West Bank, Demerara
* The Bagotville Primary School at West Bank Demerara
* The Malgre Tout Primary School at West Bank, Demerara
* The La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School at West Bank Demerara
* The Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre in Georgetown, and
* The Ruimveldt Children’s Home in Georgetown.

The children who are beneficiaries of the programmes, as well as their parents and teachers, would like to express heartfelt thanks to the management and staff of Comfort Sleep for making this great investment in their lives, and for doing it purely out of the love that is in their hearts.
The children would also like to register their appreciation to the volunteers who undertake the task of preparing what they consider ‘the tastiest meals’ for them, doing so with a smile, and always being on time. Special thanks are also extended to the Malgre Tout church and to the Church of the Ascension in Berbice for their continued support to Comfort Sleep as the company continues to roll out its noble, humanitarian mission.
The very modest donors – the Charran family — asserted that an investment in a child is worth the while. For them, there is no greater joy than knowing they can help bring cheer to the hearts of children, particularly the less fortunate ones.
On behalf of his family, and on behalf of the staff of Comfort Sleep, Mr. Dennis Charran would like to express profound gratitude to his loyal customers for their support throughout the year. He said that his customers’ support has made it possible for his company to continue to respond to the needs of the less fortunate children.
“Whenever you shop at Comfort Sleep, even if it’s a spring-filled mattress or a foam mattress you buy, you’re indirectly contributing to help sustain our programmes for the less fortunate children.
“To all our customers, children everywhere, and indeed all of Guyana, (we wish) a Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year! And remember, fellow Guyanese, in order to get a good night’s rest, be sure to shop your mattresses at Comfort Sleep.”