… Donations made to clubs, NGO, churches etc

THE ten cricket teams of Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) last Sunday last launched their largest ever Christmas Charity programme with a number of hampers and giveaways presented to various entities. The teams, under the supervision of Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu, intend to deliver 1 000 food hampers, 5 000 Christmas toys, along with clothing, footwear, educational materials and school bags to less fortunate families across the Ancient County from December 7 to 24. The teams would also be distributing hundreds of special packages to single-parent households and Christmas breakfast to senior citizens. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the COVID-19 pandemic was the factor behind the increase of activities in this year’s programme as the teams were aware that the lives of many were affected.

From April to November the teams, in a joint partnership with the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), had shared out over 6 000 food hampers, thousands of facemasks, published an educational COVID-19 poster and distributed cleaning items to dozens of public institutions. On Sunday, the teams handed over dozens of food hampers to cricket clubs across the county. Among the clubs receiving food hampers were Paradise Blairmont, Achievers, Tucber Park, Rose Hall Canje, Albion, Port Mourant, Whim and Young Warriors. The entire membership of the club also received hampers along with single-parent households in the Lower Corentyne area. Over 350 hampers have been shared out to date along with hundreds of toys. Donations of toys have been made to over 15 organisations, orphanages and churches including the Rose Hall Town Wesleyan Church, St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, Camal Children Home, Canaan Children Home, Alpa Children Home, Dream for Kids Inc,, Feed the Children Foundation Inc., Corriverton Anglican Church. The St Francis Church also benefitted from a contribution of special gifts that would be used in their weekly birthday project for members.

The Canaan Children Home also received a donation of footwear and food items while the Dream for Kids Inc. located in the Upper Corentyne area received a donation of educational materials and confectionery. The teams also visited the homes of two Upper Corentyne cricketers to hand over food hampers and educational materials. One of the cricketers died following an accident while the other was badly injured during an argument. Foster who is also the president of the BCB, has pledged to assist the families as much as possible until all the children complete their educational careers. He also committed to providing a cricket bat and a pair of batting gloves to one of the children, who requested assistance to fulfil his dream of playing for the West Indies.
The teams would continue their programme with the distribution of hundreds of toys to less fortunate children on Sunday at the Area H Ground.

Another 700 food hampers would be shared out during the course of the next two weeks while school bags, clothing and footwear would be presented to families in depressed areas.

A new feature this year would be the distribution of 500 special Christmas bags containing confectionery, apples, grapes, walnuts and biscuits to single-parent households. At least 300 senior citizens would receive a Christmas Breakfast from the teams. The breakfast would include a cup of hot tea, cold juice, local fruits, pepperpot, bread and black cake. Two homeless persons would also be surprised with a special makeover that would include new clothes, a haircut and pampering. The programme would end with the hosting of the annual Christmas Village in the compound of Rose Hall Town Primary School from December 22 to 24. The National COVID-19 Task Force has granted permission for the Village with some restrictions. The club would not be allowed to use the traditional bouncy castle, trampoline or host the popular horror house. Foster stated that the Village would be held under very strict COVID-19 guidelines and only 40 persons would be allowed at one time. Among the popular attractions will be inflatable Christmas Characters, the Nativity Scene, 20-ft Christmas Tree, Christmas Star, Family Bridge, Christmas Chimney, Children’s Games and the Christmas Home. The 10 teams of the club are: Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Poonai Under-12 and Under-13, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Under-21 and First Division.