Premier Celebrates an early Christmas with some BVI children

Premier and Minister for Tourism Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE is surrounded by some of the children who benefited from the FCCA Holiday Gift Project. Photo Credit: Mr. Ronnielle Frazer/ GIS.

The event was made possible through the Territory’s acceptance of an offer to be part of the FCCA Holiday Gift Project which is designed to bring Christmas cheer to under-privileged children.

Delivering remarks at the party held at Maria’s By the Sea, Honourable O’Neal said it is an honour for the BVI to be invited to participate. “Government was all too happy to accept the FCCA’s offer for the BVI to participate this year since as many as 30 destinations benefit annually,” the Premier said.

He added that “Cabinet did not hesitate to approve the BVI’s hosting of the FCCA Holiday Gift Project since this endeavour provides the association with an opportunity to  give back to local communities and help to spread the joy of Christmas to children in need.”

The Premier thanked the Captain and crew of the ship, Grandeur of the Seas who hosted the event, saying the Territory is appreciative of this “charitable project and gesture of goodwill.”

In his remarks, Captain Rob Hempstead described the gesture as small but expressed the hope that it will help make Christmas meaningful for the children who benefited.

One of the many delighted faces evident at the Christmas party sponsored by Government, at which gifts donated by FCCA Holiday Gift Project were presented to under-privileged children in the Territory. Photo Credit: Mr. Ronnielle Frazer/ GIS.

In addition to providing a wide array of gifts to the children in attendance, Captain Hempstead presented cheques valued at $2000 each to the Rainbow Children’s Home, Youth Empowerment Foundation Project (YEP), and the Eslyn Henley Richez Learning Centre.

Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs. Rosalie Adams conveyed Government’s appreciation to the captain for the surprise donations saying she is sure the money will be put to good use.

In fact, all of the recipients confirmed to the Department of Information and Public Relations that the donation is quite timely.
 
The money will be used to purchase some much needed teaching aids for the students of the Eslyn Henley Richez Centre; YEP plans to purchase software to help children who perform poorly in Mathematics; and the Rainbow Children’s Home will use the funds to assist with monthly expenses.

In approving the BVI’s participation in the FCCA Holiday Gift Project, Cabinet waived the customs duty on the donated gifts. The BVI beneficiaries were among 6,500 under-privileged children in as many as 32 destinations who benefited from the project this year.  ~~Adz:Right~~