Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

ST ANN'S BAY, St Ann:THE CHRISTMAS season was made special for scores of children in St Ann when the THREAD Foundation, assisted by Scotiabank St Ann's Bay, Spicy Nice and other contributors, treated them to a fun day at the Jonas Reiner Sports Centre in St Ann's Bay last week Wednesday.

After last year's inaugural fun day, which was held at High Hope Estates, which saw about 60 children turning up, this year, there was well over a hundred of them at the more spacious park, to enjoy donkey rides, games, football, races, a clown, and lots of food and refreshment.

"It was awesome, it was really a good day," THREAD director Gina Tulloch Adams told The Gleaner.

In explaining the shift to Jonas Reiner, Adams said the move facilitated more sporting activities such as races and football.

"We actually outgrew High Hope Estates, at Jonas Reiner Centre we are able to do a lot more sports, including soccer and races. We are actually trying to incorporate more sports into the fun day."

increased support

Adams said, following the success of last year's fun day, there was increased support this year.

According to Adams: "We are getting a lot more recognition this year, so we're doing this, this year, in partnership with Bank of Nova Scotia, the custos (Radcliffe O. Walters), and Mayor Desmond Gilmore. Donations have come from the community, schools, individuals, and Spicy Nice Bakery, which has always been one of our biggest supporters all year round."

Scotiabank Manager Michelle Senior and several of her staff members were on hand to assist with the running of activities for the day. So, too, was Mayor Gilmore and parish council staff and Custos Walters.

"It's the first year we're teaming up with THREAD Foundation," Senior said. "We decided to focus this year more on children. So we decided to assist, we brought gifts, ice cream for nearly 200 children, and we're here (in person) basically supporting the event."

"We intend to make our support an annual thing, because this (fun day) spreads to a wide cross section and we are good corporate citizens trying to support early-childhood education," Senior added.

Gilmore said part of the parish council's contribution was the waiving of fees to use the park. He said his presence there was to show support and to endorse the fun day.

rural@gleanerjm.com