By Noel Thompson, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE CARNIVAL Conquest cruise vessel in collaboration with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), treated more than 150 children in Montego Bay last Wednesday.
The Christmas treat formed part of the JTB's Social Outreach Programme, which has been bringing early Christmas cheer to hundreds of needy children in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay for the past eight years. Last Wednesday's treat saw children from the Salt Spring Basic and the Riverside Basic Schools in St. James in attendance.
Chairman of the JTB's Social Outreach Programme, Margaret Jones, said an additional 30 children from the Catherine Hall Primary School Special Education unit were invited to participate in the day's event, but they could not attend because of other commitments. "This was an idea that came out of the FCCA of which Carnival Cruise Lines is a member. They have been doing this for the last eight years, but had started in Ocho Rios. For the past four years, they have been in Montego Bay," Ms. Jones said.
She said the main thrust of the programme was to allow some needy children feel the warmth of Christmas. "It is a privilege for us to extend our hearts to these special little ones. In addition to the outreach efforts that are carried out at the Salt Spring Basic School throughout the year, we at the Board see this as our duty to brighten the season for those who need us more," Ms. Jones said.
Youth director for Carnival Cruise Lines Charlie Pester said: "It is a very special day for us to be here. It is nice for Carnival Cruise Line and the FCCA to be able to come to the local community and give something back instead of just coming to visit your beautiful island."
Social host for Carnival Cruise Line, James Smith, Santa Claus, hand out gifts to the children, while the JTB's Welcome Singers provided entertainment for the day, reeling off a number of folk sing-along songs.
