Dear Uncle Marz Christmas Charity hopes to help record number of families

The number of Barbadian families benefiting from the Dear Uncle Marz Christmas Charity has been increasing since the start of the initiative in 2020 and organiser Omar Marzville McQuilkin is aiming to assist more this year than ever before.

Surrounded by sponsors at the media launch on Tuesday at the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the singer said the donations have so far made a positive impact on many families, bringing them Christmas cheer.

“In 2020, we started this charity [and] we touched over 23 lives; in 2021, we touched over 185 families, with each child – 111 – receiving a gift; in 2022, [we] reached over 141 families – 57 adults, 84 children, [with] all 84 children receiving gifts,” he said. 

The goal for this year is to donate to more than 300 families, and the entertainer said several organisations were pitching in to make that happen.

CBC, said marketing specialist Nicole Collins, was happy to be part of the drive again this year.

“We know that the giving and receiving of gifts are but two of the hallmarks of Christmas, especially for our little ones. Amidst this activity, many families are not sure where their Christmas meal is going to come from, and this is disheartening. We want to commend Uncle Marz Christmas Charity Drive for their role of ensuring that families across Barbados are able to enjoy the Yuletide season,” she said.

Pick Up Barbados has come on board to assist this year and director David Hamel-Smith said he and his team were ready to deliver the items to families all across the island.

“I would say that we would be the perfect partner for this type of initiative because, of course, what we do is go from A to B…. We get to play the role of Santa, delivering these packages at Christmas time. We’ve already got a few of our drivers who have jumped on the opportunity to sign up and help deliver packages. I know that I will be there helping and the other staff from Pick Up will be there as well, and we hope to get as many drivers as possible on board and help deliver these packages to the families in need,” he said.

Other businesses and individuals are also being encouraged to donate what they can to the cause.

McQuilkin invited those in need or people who know of those in need, to send their experiences to dearunclemarz@gmail.com. Submissions will be accepted from November 1 to December 2. (SB)