Almost 600 Children Attend Salvation Army Annual Christmas Party  

December has just started, but the Christmas celebrations are already in full swing! This morning, the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall was buzzing with excitement as the Belize Salvation Army hosted its annual children’s Christmas dinner. Nearly six hundred kids from Belize City and Hattieville gathered to play games, sing carols, enjoy a festive meal, and receive gifts to kick off the holiday season. We stopped by earlier today to soak in the joyful atmosphere. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

This morning, Holy Redeemer Parish Hall was alive with holiday cheer as nearly six hundred children buzzed with excitement at the annual Salvation Army Children’s Christmas Dinner. The event is all about sparking festive joy in the kids as the holiday season approaches.

 

Major Marceddy Momplaisr, District Officer, Salvation Army

“Salvation Army, we are here for them. Because we know Christmas is a time when we enjoy our time with the children, share their hope, and meet their needs, and transform their lives. Because there are so many of them, maybe, if they’re alone, they won’t get a gift. So today, we are so happy to be in this parish hall to receive those children to show them love, to show them respect, to show them somebody cares for them. That is what the Salvation Army does. Care for others.”

 

This heartwarming event is made possible thanks to funds raised from kettle drives, community fundraisers, and generous donations from local businesses. These contributions allow the team to spread holiday cheer by handing out gifts, serving delicious food, and providing live entertainment for the children.

 

David Vasquez, Member, Salvation Army Advisor Board

“Christmas is a time of sharing and caring. In these, as times get more economically challenging, it’s always good to help support to the community. The Salvation Army itself. is an organization steeped in history. I mentioned to the kids just now that we’ve been over one hundred years, actually, one hundred and nine years in Belize. And whilst I haven’t been personally with the Salvation Army Project, when you consider all the great work that they have done, this particular function has been going on for over thirty-five years.”

 

District Officer Major Marceddy Momplaisr was most excited to see the joy light up the faces of the children as they enjoyed all the treats they had to offer them.

 

Major Marceddy Momplaisr

“We’re going to give the children food. We’re going to give them drink. We’re going to give them ice cream and we’re going to give them gifts. And I strongly believe they are waiting to enjoy themselves with the gift. And we have people as well. We’re going to sing for them, make them feel special.”

 

The main goal of the dinner is to make the children feel loved and special, perfectly aligning with the Salvation Army’s mission to spread kindness and do good.

 

David Vasquez

“When you see the smiles on the faces of the kids and see how they enjoy this. This is really a time that we give back. So all of the efforts that we raise funds through our kettle drives and donations by various members of the community, this helps to bring and spread the joy especially at this time of year.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.