Comfort Sleep celebrates 20 years of support for less fortunate children

IT’S Christmas time again and Comfort Sleep, for the 20th year around has ushered in the spirit of the season for close to 500 less fortunate children, with the hosting of three Christmas parties in their honour, over the last few days.

The parties which, according to organisers brought “good tidings and unspeakable joy” to the hearts of the children, were held at three separate locations and were designed for those who are the beneficiaries of Comfort Sleep’s School Feeding Programmes in Regions Three, Four and Six.

The first party which hosted about 300 children was held at the Aracari Resort, West Bank Demerara on December 8; the second was at the Eclipse Halls, New Amsterdam, Berbice on December 9, and the final party was held later at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, Carmichael Street Georgetown. That party catered for more than 100 children on therapy, as well as the parent/guardian accompanying them.

There was music, fun and great excitement resonating amongst the children, with bountiful supplies of food, drink and other goodies. Not least, there was a ceremonial appearance made by Jolly Old Santa Claus who signalled his arrival with his usual “Ho! Ho! Ho!”. Santa’s distribution of toys and gifts was assisted by Managing Director of Comfort, Dennis Charran. With him also were: his wife, Sabita Charran and administrator, Amanda Cheong who ensured that every child was presented with a gift.

The initiative had the support of key functionaries of the schools and facility, including Director of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre (PRHC), Cynthia Massay and other representatives of that facility; and representatives of the Schools’ Feeding Programme from which the beneficiaries were drawn.

Massay confirmed that Charran, who has a close affinity for little children, has had an unbroken relationship with, and has been making financial and other forms of assistance to the centre for the last 20 years. It was out of this initiative that the hosting of children’s parties was birthed.

And commenting on what led him to start a Schools’ Feeding Programme, Charran recalled

that one day he was buying fast food for his children and decided to purchase one for a little boy who appeared to be needy. Full of gratitude and excitement, the child thanked him but instead of opening up the bag, tucked it away. When asked why he did not open up and eat the meal, the child replied that he was taking it home to share with his mother and brother who were at home and had nothing to eat.

Charran, out of compassion made purchases for the mother and child at home. Following that experience, he said, he purposed in his heart, never to pass a hungry child by, and soon after, put systems in place to establish the Schools’ Feeding Programme, through which he has been able to assure hundreds of children a hot nutritious meal when at school and host parties for them at Christmas time.