Yesterday over a thousand children in the city got lunch and a free toy from the Salvation Army and Continental Airlines. Today the sleigh of Christmas spirit and free goodies made a stop at the Battlefield Park. This time it was students from the Youth Cadet Service Corp who played Santa. Here's how it went.
Keith Swift Reporting,
At midday Christmas for the homeless who call Battlefield Park home arrived in these two boxes. But these weren't presents you would find under a tree, these are presents from the kitchen. The youths are from the Youth Cadet Service Corp and in those boxes they are carrying one hundred plates of food; rice and beans, chicken, and salad. The Cadet Corp's councilor Michael Valero says the youths did everything except cook the food.
Michael Valero, Councilor - BYSC
"By coming out here and giving back to the homeless, it's a way of showing the cadets that what they are receiving at the Cadet Corp, they need to give back something to the community. The cadets went home and they basically asked their parents for whatever they could have donated and what they couldn't come up with, the Cadet Corp provided the rest and by that we were able to come up with a hundred meals to feed the homeless here today."
Kevin Cadle, Acting Manager - BYSC
"These young men have come together, brought their finances together, and have decided to come out and feed the poor."
Michael Valero,
"Rehabilitation comes with understanding of where you are in life and where you want to go. These cadets need a sense of pride in themselves and a sense of giving to the community so they understand that they are a part of the community at large. We need to teach them that coming out here and getting in touch with people who are forgotten, people who are pushed aside in our society, that's a way of giving back because a lot of these cadets feel the same way. They feel pushed aside and forgotten."
Horace Adolphus, Cadet
"First time I am doing this and I feel kind of nervous right now in this crowd out here and thing. It is the first time I am doing it so..."
17-year-old Horace Adolphus is one of the 30 youths who spent their lunch hour - serving lunch. He enjoyed today so much that he wants to do it more often.
Horace Adolphus,
"I feel good watching people eat dinner and have fun with everyone and talking to each other and I appreciate to give them this like every two months so they can feel good. "
And those enjoyed a free lunch probably won't have a problem with Horace's suggestion.
There are 52 students attending the Corp. This is the second year they have fed the homeless.
And while those youths were doing their goodwill gesture in the park, the Belize Tourism Board along with the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association did theirs this morning at the House of Culture. The organizations
selected 200 children from Belize City and hosted them at a party at the House of Culture. They were treated to entertainment, food and drinks as well as gifts. Monique Barnhorn of the Norwegian Dream says it's all part of the spirit of the season.
Monique Barnhorn,
"We brought gifts for the children here from the Florida Cruise Association and we are here to present it to them and they asked us to present it on their behalf and we took a Santa and some elves and presented it to all the kids here in Belize. We see the need in Belize that the kids need to have a Christmas as well and I believe its for a good cause."
There were over 70 children who did not show up for the event, however the remaining gifts will be handed over to organizations who work with children affected with HIV/Aids.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
