OVER the last two weeks, management of Comfort Sleep hosted two gala annual Christmas parties at which they feted more than 300 less fortunate children in Regions Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) and Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne).

This is the seventh consecutive year in which Comfort Sleep has held parties intended for children who are beneficiaries of Comfort Sleep’s Schools’ Feeding Progammes, but this year’s festivities came as a surprise to many, considering that the company had suffered devastating losses in two recent fires. The first fire occurred on October 30 and destroyed the company’s storage bond; and more recently, there was a fire on November 28 which completely ravaged Comfort Sleep’s factory and administrative offices at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Notwithstanding the peculiar circumstances the company has found itself in, Managing Director of Comfort Sleep, Mr. Dennis Charran, a consummate humanitarian possessed of a colossal depth of love for little children, demonstrated great resilience by not even considering the thought of cancelling or even postponing the events, which serve to bring joy to the hearts of hundreds of needy children.

And so the first Christmas treat came off a magnificent success at the Malgre Tout Roman Catholic Church compound on the West Bank of Demerara on Demember 19. It catered for more than 250 children, 70 from Malgre Tout Roman Catholic Primary School; 50 from La Grange Primary; 45 from Bagotville Primary; and 85-odd were from the Parfait Harmonie primary schools.

Meanwhile, the second party was held on December 21st at the Church of the Ascension in New Amsterdam. It was for Edinburgh Primary School and Friends Primary School on the East Bank Berbice. That party catered for about 120 children, and was hosted in collaboration with the Church of the Ascension in New Amsterdam, with church leaders and volunteers assisting with the organization of the event.

It was a grand occasion for the children at both locations, where they were each given gifts by Mr. Dennis Charran, and were treated to food, drinks and ice-cream with regaling Christmas music in the background. Transportation to and from the parties was provided by Comfort Sleep.

At Malgre Tout, the kids were graced with the presence of Monsignor (Msgr) Terrence Montrose, Vicar General, Chancellor and Vocations Director of all the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Guyana. Also present were other Roman Catholic Priests of the Society of Jesus (S.J).

The children were welcomed and given Christmas greetings by Msgr. Montrose. They were briefly addressed by Rev. Alex from Nicaragua, while other priests on hand joined the volunteers in serving goodies to the children.

And in Georgetown, Comfort Sleep has continued to enjoy amicable relations with the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre for the last 16 years. The company continues to make, on request, regular donations of foodstuff, sleep wear, pampers, and any other items needed.  Additionally, it makes donations to the institution’s Easter activity and other fun days.

Last year Comfort Sleep hosted its sixth Christmas party at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, and feted more than 90 at the Carmichael Street facility on December, 16. Beneficiaries included children living at the centre and those visiting for therapy, as well as parents/guardians accompanying them.
Comfort Sleep has held such parties annually for the last six years.

Feeding Programmes

ComfortSleep has, for the last four and a half years, been having a three-day-per-week feeding programme (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) for the schools identified, serving them with hot nutritious lunches along with a beverage prepared at the two churches (Ascension and Malgre Tout). The children are then taken to their respective schools for distribution.

Managing Director Mr. Dennis Charran has firmly committed to continue the schools’ feeding programmes, and kids’ Christmas parties, adding that his problems are not the kids’ problems, and that they should not be adversely affected by the misfortune that had befallen the company. “The feeding programmes and Christmas parties will go on, regardless,” he told the Sunday Chronicle.
Written By Shirley Thomas