Cheerful Givers treat in Queen’s Park

OVER 100 homeless individuals were treated to an early Christmas breakfast in Queen’s Park yesterday.

Many of them were smiling and expressing their gratitude, as they thanked Cheerful Givers Club, for blessing them with a special breakfast.
They received fruits, pastry, a hot cup of drink and a nice piece of ham, among other treats. Each person also received a gift bag which included personal items.

“We were all former colleagues and where we worked before use to team up with the Barbados Vagrants and Homeless Society (BVHS) to feed the homeless. But when the company stopped doing it, we took it upon ourselves to start to do it because we recognise that there is a need for it, especially at Christmas time,” the Club Public Relations Officer Shakida Grant said told The Barbados Advocate.

Last Christmas was the first time the Group fed the homeless.

“It was a good and fulfilling experience. We also did it throughout the year a couple of times. But we did it today because we thought that Christmas Eve would be a fitting time for people to enjoy good quality ham and nice juice.

“We are giving the gifts as well so that they can groom themselves and feel good. Although they may not have the economic wherewithal, people are still very proud and would like to keep themselves in a clean and tidy manner. So that is what we are just hoping to do. I want to thank all of the members of the club and our sponsors for lending assistance to this worthy cause,” Grant said.

The sponsors that contributed to the breakfast included the National Conservation Commission (NCC), Robert’s Manufacturing Company Ltd, Courtesy Garage, Bryden Stokes Ltd, Armstrong Agencies, WIBISCO, Tropical Print Services, ANSR Investment Ltd, Bakers Mart, Graphic Artist Terry Moe, and Terasu.

“I just want to encourage everybody in Barbados, as little as you think you may have, help somebody because there is always people with much less. If you can’t give your money, maybe you can give of your time to ensure that you help people, especially at Christmas,” she said. (AH)