Santa on wheels: Christmas cheer rolls into urban districts

ver 3 000 children across the island will have their Christmas dreams come true this week as the Department of Community Development’s Christmas motorcade spreads festive joy, bringing gifts and goodwill to communities islandwide.

This marks the third year of the Christmas Caravan initiative, designed to brighten the season by delivering toys and gifts, especially to children, while fostering a spirit of community togetherness.

On Tuesday, the motorcade filled several St Michael communities with excitement, featuring Santa Claus and Minnie Mouse making stops to deliver gifts to delighted children in Kensington, New Orleans, Country Park Towers, Jackmans, Friendship, Nelson Street, London Bourne Towers, The Grotto, Bayville, and Bonnets.

Acting Chief Community Development Officer Yolande Skeete shared her delight at the initiative’s success: “Overwhelming just to see the joy on the faces of the little ones, as they receive gifts from Santa Claus and Minnie Mouse. It brings that whole aspect of Christmas and giving back to the community.”

She added: “It has been tremendous, so much so that we had to decide we are just going to spend 10-15 minutes in an area and then move off.”

Skeete also revealed that this year’s gifts were purchased without the support of sponsors: “The gifts are extremely good and we purchase them from A and B Housewares on Green Hill. We made sure that we got some gifts for the children, some gifts that they can have, not only for Christmas, but certainly, you know, well into the year.”

Looking to the future, Skeete said the department hopes to involve corporate sponsors and government officials.

“We did not seek sponsorship this year, but certainly we are going to corporate Barbados to bring them on board because we know the importance of ensuring that, you know, those entities that they are are also a part of what we do.”

On Wednesday, the motorcade will bring Christmas cheer to Christ Church and St Philip.

“We are going to make sure we impact Gall Hill, Silver Hill, just some areas we plan to visit, and Rock Hall in St Philip.”

Skeete explained that last year’s efforts focused on central and northern parishes.

“We did St Andrew, St Peter, St James, and St Lucy

and St Thomas. Parts of five parishes last year. We finished up close to midnight last year.”

She also noted that, given the challenge of reaching every area in a parish, pop-up events have become an integral part of their strategy.

“Before, we had one at Emmerton, we had one at Rock Hall. There is one scheduled for Station Hill, which is Andrew Allen, that is on Saturday, and then there was one at Drax Hall and Haggatt Hall. So there were like mini parties for the children, but certainly, you know, we try to impact, you know, as many persons as possible.” (LG)