Clarendon Treat Brings Smiles Despite Western Focus

With most of the focus now on assisting hurricane victims in Western Jamaica, the Free Town Foundation, based in Clarendon, saw a scaling down of contributions from local and international partners for its treat in December.

Despite the reduction in grocery items, scores of children who gathered for their annual Holiday Hope event on December 19 had a merry time in the bounce-about and while playing games provided for their enjoyment. They also boasted wide smiles as they collected toys from members of the Foundation, which has been in existence for over 20 years (officially registered in 2016).

Arlene Hutchinson, wife of the pastor Bishop William Hutchinson, expressed joy that the team decided to press ahead. With scores of persons shipping items through the wharf, there were a few hurdles to cross, but board members were not daunted, as they were eager to continue the annual tradition of giving back to residents in Freetown and adjoining communities.

“If you notice out there [on the church grounds], the people are collecting the clothes, the shoes, and the food packages mostly for the elderly. It has been reduced from 200 to 100 packages. So some people have already collected and left, and others are now collecting theirs,” she noted on the day of the event.

“We usually get it from sponsors, like our business people. But as you know, Melissa hit, and they are now mostly centred on helping the victims in the West,” she said.

In order to control the huge crowd that generally gathers on the church compound hoping to collect a package, senior citizens and other residents from the community were contacted ahead of time and told when to come and collect their packages. Many stayed behind to look through and select from racks of clothes that were being given away.

“We knew of persons from the community over the years who are really in need, and so the Foundation would have put out all effort to try and have something for them. So at this time of the year, this is something they’re looking forward to,” explained Roydell Shakespeare, one of the directors of the Foundation.

The children were given an opportunity to gather throughout the day and were provided with refreshments ahead of collecting their gifts. Apart from the usual dolls and toy trucks which children like, bicycles were given to children who came out on top in the Bible quiz.

“Those children who have excelled, we want to encourage them. So we will be presenting them with tokens,” said Hutchinson, who thanked all the sponsors who gave.