One month ago we told you about the launch of the Salvation Army's annual kettle bell fundraising drive.
And today the product of all those donations was made visible when the Salvation Army put on their annual children's Christmas party at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall. The event featured musical entertainment, a lunch and a few gifts for the kids. Jomarie Lanza was there and here's how it went.
The Christmas season is a special time for the Salvation Army in Belize. Their annual Children's Christmas Party underscores their mission to provide for the needy but these soldiers also follow in Christ's footsteps by giving to others and adding joy to their lives. That joy was evident today as they sang a few songs, and engaged in the activities that the Salvation Army had planned for them.
Dr Sharmayne Saunders, Head of UWI, Rotarian
"The message is hope marches on and basically to encourage the children to be hope to others, to share in the joy, share their joy, help others and the world continues to revolve, we want the children to understand that just as one person helps you, you are there to help others as well in any little thing that you do."
"They have numerous activities, gift giving, a meal the children will participate in activities and the program is scheduled to ensure that the children have a good time but at the same time share the message of hope to children. The Salvation Army has been around for very long and we want to encourage people to support the work of Salvation Army because you see the crowd in the back the amount of children we are helping but we can help more if we get more support from the public and we just want people to understand that this is where their assistance it goes a long way to making the children happy and to give hope to the children."
Up to 400 students were in attendance today, from select primary schools. And while they will be leaving with a full belly and a gift in hand, they will also be leaving with an important message: that they are valuable.
Major Marc Eddy Momplaisir, district officer of The Salvation Army
"But one of the things I really want them to understand is that they are valuable and not only are they valuable, and God loves them and I want them to know that we at the Salvation Army the fact that we are putting our time out to share with them love and respect, and for them to learn something so that they can make other people happy as well because many children today may have difficulty to understand each other but when they see our people who come to show them love they will learn from it and share with other people as well."
It's a yearly event that has never failed to make a difference in the lives of these children. David Vasquez, a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board says that he encourages more persons to contribute to the organization so that they can continue to carry out their impactful work.
David Vasquez, Member of Salvation Army Advisory Board
"This event particularly is something we hold near and dear because it is for the children and you know Christmas time is generally for the children so this is an event that we put on our calendar every year highlighted as the most important event that we do."
"We can always do with more so we welcome all the Belizean organizations and companies to please support the Salvation Army it takes a lot to do events like this and it takes a lot to support the children and other items that we support during the course of the year so any business that wants to be apart of it and wants to be a responsible corporate citizen, Salvation Army is always a great organization to support."
