Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Marva Anglin (right) is gleeful as she accepts a gift and a Christmas cake from Dian Newman of Scotiabank in downtown Kingston yesterday. Ms. Anglin is the mother of three young boys whose Christmas wish lists were featured in The Gleaner on December 6. Hundreds of Jamaicans responded to the wish lists and the monetary donations and gifts collected on their behalf were presented to the children and their parents yesterday morning. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer
It was a miracle on Hanover Street, downtown Kingston, yesterday when the Christmas dreams of five inner-city children came true. The five
children, Cindy Hayne, Jaleen and Joshan Anglin, Theo Wilmot and Kiwan Foster were featured in The Gleaner on December 6 and their stories touched the hearts of hundreds of readers across the world.
The children's wish lists for Christmas were simple things like shoes, money to go back to school and help for their parents. When the story outlining their wishes appeared in the paper, Jamaicans at home and abroad opened their hearts and their wallets to ensure that the children had a merry Christmas. From cash to bed sheets and shoes, the children got everything they asked for and more.
Volunteers from Scotiabank and representatives of the National AIDS Committee and UNAIDS turned out at Yvette's Pub on Hanover Street to present the children with gifts and money to help in their schooling.
Really Appreciated
"Thank you all so much. We really appreciate it. God bless you all," Cindy said in response.
The Scotiabank volunteers who came from several different branches of the bank, also sang carols which brought smiles to the faces of the children. A crowd converged on the bar and the residents applauded the volunteers when the presentations were over.
"This is a really good thing The Gleaner do. Is plenty people in the ghetto here need help and most people 'fraid to come down here and find that out. God bless The Gleaner and the people all over the country who help," said Milly Wilson of Rum Lane.
