Hearts4Hearts Campaign gets under way

Students of St. Gabriel’s School and Calypsonian Mikey joined Variety – the Children’s Charity to launch its 2017 Hearts4Hearts Campaign, yesterday.

This year, Sony has collaborated with the Children’s Charity to create limited-edition pins featuring iconic characters Papa Smurf and Smurfette from the “Smurfs: The Lost Village” movie, which premieres in April 2017.

As usual, proceeds from the pins will benefit Variety’s children through the programmes run during the year including the Sunshine Coach, Education ICT and social experiences put on for the less fortunate.

“The Gold Hearts campaign is very important as it raises funds so that Variety can continue to provide life-changing, provide life-saving, life-changing, and life-enriching equipment and services to children who have a disability or are disadvantaged,” expressed Variety’s Executive Director, Donnah Russell.

St. Gabriel’s School is one of the many private schools in Barbados, which have been supporting Variety for many years. Russell lauded the spirit of volunteerism, as students and their families ensure the sale of hearts on and off the school premises.

“Variety rewards the efforts of these children with small tokens of appreciation. In recent years, the public schools have come on board and have worked with Variety to sell hearts at their schools. Variety wants to inculcate the spirit of volunteerism as a good habit in all children.”

During the launch held at St. Gabriel’s auditorium, Mikey revealed that for the 2016 campaign, the school raised $1 147. He encouraged the students to keep embracing the Hearts4Hearts Campaign.

“From the time I was growing up, St. Gabriel’s has always led the charge in raising funds for charities,” he recalled.

“The amount you raised last year for Variety – the Children’s Charity was awesome; you students are helping other children. I want you to keep this spirit of helping others as you get older. Keep giving, keep helping, because when you do good, good comes back to you.”

Each special edition Papa Smurf and Smurfette Gold Heart may be purchased at a cost of $5, and will entitle donors to a chance to win one of three staycation prizes at Mango Bay, Sugar Bay or Ocean 2 Hotel.

They are available in all commercial banks and in private schools and public schools. They are also available in supermarkets, retail stores and in private offices across the island. (TL)