It is fair to say that with Belize in recession this Christmas will not be a merry one for thousands of families already struggling to just get by on a daily basis and that is why this year bravo motors and the salvation army are appealing to business owners and those families who can afford it, to give support to their cause and give a toy to one of the needy children. Today Jacqueline Godwin caught up with Bravo Motors boss Eddie Bouloy and the Salvation Army Regional Commander Major Brenda Grinage. The two were inside Brodies Supermarket on Albert Street where one of the seven containers is posted in Belize City.
Eddie Bouloy, Bravo Motors
“We are hoping to raise 2,100 toys this year and the challenge as it is every year is getting to that number. There always seems to be a delay, people wait until the last moment to make their contribution and that is why
I am sweating right now. We are only at 300 toys so we are 1800 toys short of our target at this time. As you can see there are toys in the barrel.
We have a week basically to go for the Christmas party. We must have 1,000 toys by next weekend. That is the midway target and the barrels will remain in the stores until the following week when we hope to get the other 1,100 toys. Some people have their Christmas bonuses coming in late and that type of thing. W e are appealing to everyone out there to contribute to the annual Salvation Army Christmas Toy Drive. It is going to make a difference in the life of a child. I’ve always stressed that you can use it as a lesson to teach your own children to give to charity. Have them clear out their toy boxes and bring their good used toys.
I’ll also like to thank BWEL. BWEL has offered their countrywide network to pick up toys. So anybody in the districts can call a BWEL outlet and they will come to pick up the toys and BWEL has guaranteed us another 300 toys so that’s a company that’s being a good corporate citizen and supporting. We call on the other good corporate citizens to make a difference and contribute to the toy drive. Every little bit counts.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“To follow in the footsteps of Bravo Motors.”
Eddie Bouloy,
“Yeah we try very hard and things could always be better and they could also be a hell of a lot worse but we have to be thankful for what we have and count our blessings and we need to contribute to this worthwhile cause.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“How does the Salvation Army feels about Bravo Motors’ annual assistance in helping you guys here?”
Major Brenda Grinage, Salvation Army Regional Commander
“I would refer to Bravo Motors as the army behind the army. Our toy drive would not be successful without the energy that they put into this and we really appreciate them spearheading it and getting the toys for us.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“Are you optimistic that you are going to reach the target?”
Major Brenda Grinage,
“Actually I am. The response has been very slow but I believe that by the day the 16th, we will have the number of toys we need and each child will receive one.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“I know we were out here right in front of Brodies covering the launch of the annual Christmas Kettle Appeal. How is that coming along?”
Major Brenda Grinage,
“Slow on some days and some days are very good days but I believe the public is responding.”
Remember, Salvation Army and Bravo Motors are short of one thousand, eight hundred toys and they have just about week to hand them out to needy children. So if you cannot buy a toy for a child but you know there is one at home in very good condition that you can donate to the drive you can simply drop it in one of the seven containers at the major shopping centres in Belize City. If you live outside of Belize City and unable to make the drop off, remember you can also call on the services of the butane gas company BWEL to pick up your donations.
