Workers of Tank-Weld Ltd. distributing Christmas gifts to children of the Waterhouse and Olympic Gardens communities prior to Christmas. - Contributed

Santa Claus finally came to town when a huge flatbed truck loaded with toys rolled into the Olympic Gardens community in Kingston just before Christmas.

But the gift-givers weren't potbellied men. They were 12 members of staff of Tank-Weld Metals Limited who were on a mission to bring smiles to the faces of thousands of inner-city children whose parents couldn't afford to buy them gifts this year.

The company's Managing Director Bruce Bicknell said the treat was a huge success.

"It went really well. It was very touching because we were able to connect with the people on a very personal level," he said.

The company gave away about 2,000 toys which valued roughly $1 million.

"We went around Waterhouse and Olympic Gardens and visited places like Samarchan, Balcombe Drive, Penwood, Capture, Moscow and Wint Road," he said. "We at least managed to make their Christmas a little happier and that's all we wanted to do," he said.

Spirits raised

The Reverend Rennard White, head of the Tower Hill Missionary Church in the community, said the treat helped raise the spirits of the children.

"Many of these children would not have received a gift this Christmas because their parents are unable to afford it. This treat allowed them to enjoy themselves and to feel happy. It was a great feeling to see the children happy. It was a real blessing," he said.