Christmas Hampers Project
Christmas Hamper Handout Programme
History
When the idea of Christmas hampers was first introduced to the club by PP Charles Briggs, the hampers were to be filled with food AND toys. Before distribution, the toys had to be labelled and grouped according to the age and sex of the child that each gift was intended. This proved to be a tedious exercise which eventually led to the shift to food only hampers. The look on the children's faces after they received the toys is missed. As well is Auntie Olga, who with the pickup van, would partner with the club to identify and help deliver the hampers to the families in need throughout Barbados at Christmas. (CB)
December 2021
For more than 15 years the Rotary Club of Barbados South has delivered hampers to hundreds of vulnerable families in Barbados, through our Christmas Hamper Handout Programme. Each year our club distributes over 250 hampers to families and homes across the island. Thanks to the generosity of our friends in the local business community domiciled here in Barbados, the club can fund this project every year.
Service clubs such as Rotary play a critical role in providing social protective services to vulnerable members of society. This need has been particularly exacerbated by the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic in 2020 which resulted in an exponential demand for a lot more assistance from social partners. Assisting families with hampers and in other ways is therefore a year-round project.
The main objective of the programme is to provide support for vulnerable families during the holiday season through the provision of food hampers. This activity also provides an opportunity for club members, their Partners In Service, children of all ages as well as members of the Rotaract Club, aspiring members and friends of Rotary to have lots of fun and camaraderie, while at the same time giving of our time and energy to a most worthwhile cause.
A heartfelt thank you to all of those who helped pack the hampers and then deliver them to each, and every deserving recipient. Beyond Barbados in support of the needs of our colleagues in our region, PP Vivian-Anne Gittens, and our own DG Sonya Alleyne, journeyed to Dominica in 2018 to make their presentation in person. This was the 1st of many projects planned for the region under our international avenue of service.
As always, we would particularly like to thank Guardian General Insurance Ltd who has been our home since inception and to Massy Properties for opening their arms and doors to us this year. And from our Rotary South family to yours, we look forward to partner with you next year for a brighter future for all. (BL)