NCN spearheads gift collection for less fortunate

Dec 10, 2008 News

As children around the world look forward to receiving toys and goodies during the Christmas season, there are families right here in Guyana who cannot afford to purchase any of these for their kids.
To help these families, the Radio’s Needy Children’s Fund has launched a ‘Toy Drive’.
At present, a barrel is available at the National Communications Network, in which the public is asked to donate toys worth not more than $500.
Chairman of the Radio’s Needy Children’s Fund, Mohamed Sattaur, said that the ‘Toy Drive’ commences on November 1 of each year. There are about 200 toys at present in the barrel.
The idea behind limitation of the cost for the toys, he said, is to allow for all the children to have toys of approximate value.
“We do not want some to be having expensive ones and others not,” he said.
While persons are donating to the cause, Sattaur added, many business entities have opted to make monetary contributions.
The organisation is expecting to share at least 5,000 toys to children countrywide.
A Christmas party will be hosted in each of the ten administrative regions, where toys will be distributed.
This year, also, a special party will be kept at the Genito Unitary Medicine Clinic for children living with or affected by HIV.
But even as the Radio Needy Children’s Fund is helping needy children, another feature at NCN to assist children is being conducted.
There is the ‘Letter to Santa’ feature, which allows children to write letters telling Santa Claus what they want for Christmas.
These letters will be reviewed and 100 children will have gifts delivered to them on Christmas Eve.
Giving an insight into this cause, Sattaur told Kaieteur News that, last year, one businessman, Frank DeAbreu of DeSinco Trading, approached the institution and volunteered to share gifts to children who are really in need.
As such, the ‘Letter to Santa’ idea was developed.
This year, the cause is being sponsored by Sterling Products Limited.
Sattaur said the persons from across the country send their letters to the PO Box number that is provided.
This venture, however, is a very ‘emotional’ one Sattaur said, as it is very heart rending to read what some of the children write.
“In some instances, we have neighbours who write in to tell us about a family they think that is really in need. It is an emotionally draining experience,” he added.
The Radio’s Needy Children’s Fund was founded by Olga Lopes-Seales in 1954. She was then a radio broadcaster for the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation.
She wanted to help a few children in need at Christmas, so she sought the permission to use the radio station to appeal to the public for assistance.
The response from the public was overwhelming.
She received clothing, shoes, toys and cash, which enabled the start of ‘The Radio’s Needy Children’s Fund’ for hundreds of children.
After ‘Aunty Olga,’ as she was fondly called, migrated in 1966, Bernice Mansell, who was then the Secretary/ Treasurer, took over and continued the work in various parts of the country.

Latest News

NCN spearheads gift collection for less fortunate

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

NSC, Office of the DPP to host Criminal Law and Sexual Offences Act...

Lucas Chung maintains strong standing at 2nd...

Farm Supplies Ltd. supports Bartica Regatta 2025

Legislation and Investment: Trinidad to Brazil,...

Three more matches billed for this weekend

CM Khan rules at 2025 National Blitz Chess...

Features/Columnists

“One Guyana” is no less a national slogan than “Green Guyana”

If Guyana’s President Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean”, who is the Putin?

Partner v. investor

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

NCN spearheads gift collection for less fortunate

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]