A Special Christmas Party from Belize Bank to Stella Maris Children

Today, the kids from Stella Maris School in Belize City had a blast at the Belize Bank’s Annual Christmas party. This heartwarming tradition, started over a decade ago, celebrates the children’s perseverance despite their physical challenges. The party was packed with fun activities to spread the holiday cheer. Held at the Hub on Chetumal Street, News Five’s Marion Ali dropped by to capture the festive spirit and filed this report.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

Today was anything but a regular school day for one hundred and twenty-eight kids at Stella Maris School. They got to enjoy a festive Christmas party, a beloved tradition started by Belize Bank fifteen years ago. This event was more than just food, gifts, and music. Belize Bank’s Executive Chairman, Filippo Alario, shared that the staff truly cherishes the joy they bring to these children.

 

Filippo Alario, Executive Chairman, Belize Bank

“Our staff look at this time as one of those joyous times. They give their time, their effort. They wrapped, I think, over 140 gifts, so we’ve been working for, uh, for a few days and getting everything ready. We have a 360, which apparently is the key part of today. Everybody loves the 360-video thing. We have Jumpy Castles; we eat with the kids. It’s just one of those things that give us tremendous joy to be able to, to share with these amazing kids.”

 

Sheree Salgado, a teacher at Stella Maris, told News Five that the school appreciates what Belize Bank has been doing to make the children’s Christmas brighter every year.

 

Sheree Salgado, Teacher, Stella Maris School

“We know the background of these children. We know that some of them might not get a gift. Some of them might not. Uh, a proper meal for the Christmas. So, yeah, we’re grateful. Every year Belize Bank is trying to do a twist on it. This year, they have, um, the popcorn machine, the phones machine, and some bouncy balls. Also, they are also enjoying, not only the students, but the teachers are also enjoying the treats that the teacher is taking today.”

 

Chairman Alario shared with News Five that the bank’s dedication to this event is deeply rooted in the incredible effort the teachers put into the children’s development. He emphasized that the visible progress and hard work of the teachers inspire the bank’s ongoing commitment to making this Christmas party special.

 

Filippo Alario

“Stella Maris is an institution that has been doing incredible work for these special kids.  Um, I have been coming here for over a decade and I see a lot of these kids grow up and I think that you know what, the specialized care that they give the kids, you can see them growing up happy, trying to be part of the community and it’s just one of those things that give us tremendous joy. This is not about the bank. It’s about us being able to share, being able to give, being able to spend this time together.”

 

Salgado says it’s a natural bond the teachers have with the children because they spend so many hours each day with the kids. To see them this happy is therapeutic.

 

Sheree Salgado

“ Our students are with us for five days a week, most for the entire day, and so it becomes our children, so when we see the happiness on these children’s faces, it warms our heart as educators.”

 

Marion Ali

“Do you dance with them as well?”

 

Sheree Salgado

“Of course! (Laughs)”

 

Marion Ali for News Five.