OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
MEMBERS OF the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) brought Christmas cheers to some 206 needs children from St. Ann and St. Mary last week a special Christmas treat held at Island Village in Ocho Rios.
The treat, which was part of FCCA's eight annual holiday gift project, was co-ordinated by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and supported by a member of Hotel Restaurants and Food outlets in the Ocho Rios area.
The children selected from the Edge Hill School for Special Education, Windsor Girls Home, Mansfield "One Love" Basic School in St. Ann and the Uphill Bible Club in Galina, St. Mary.
The FCCA Holiday Gift Project is designated to reach out to partners in the various destinations by providing holiday gifts to underprivileged children in foster homes or institutions where holiday gifts would not ordinarily be possible.
The FCCA was represented a Tuesday's Treat by the Captain and some members of the crew of the Royal Caribbean International cruise line Navi-gator of The Seas which was on its scheduled fortnightly visit to Ocho Rios.
Captain Leif Otto Bang said it was a pleasure for him and his crew to have had the privilege of bringing Christmas gifts for the needy children on behalf of the FCCA.
Jamaica Tourist Board's Cruise Shipping Coordinator Sharon Williams, who was in charge of arranging the event, said it was also a pleasure, on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, to have been able to assist so many underprivileged children with attractive Christ-mas gifts. "We look forward to doing this each year," she said.
Miss Williams thanked the FCCA and the several local businesses which made the treat possible.
The recipients were filled with Joy and some performed the latest reggae dances to the delight of Captain Bang and his 20- member team, some of whom acted as Santa's elves.
Nurse Majorie Robinson of the One Love Basic School said it was one of the best things that could have been done for the children of her school.
Ken and Eileen Terroade who operate the Uphill Bible Club described the occasion as lovely and most enlightening. They said some of the children were visiting Ocho Rios for the first time and that the very attractive Island Village provided them with the right setting.
