Vincentians show Christmas spirit

The Salvation Army appealed for money last month and Vincentians responded with their dollars.

“The giving was tremendous this year, the people came out and gave which was very good,” said Major Henry King.

The Army surpassed its target of $75,000 in its annual kettle and letter appeal which ran from November 17 to December 24.{{more}}

The funds that were collected enabled the members to donate over 1,400 food packages to persons and institutions.

The Salvation Army visited the Lewis Punnett Home, Thompson Home, Mental Health Centre, Med-care, Children’s ward at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and the women’s prison, sang carols and distributed 900 food packages.

On Wednesday December 20, they also hosted their annual Christmas food package donations under the patronage of the Governor-General Sir Fredrick Ballantyne and his wife Lady Ballantyne.

On Christmas day, the homeless were not forgotten as the members of the army fed 120 people.

King told Searchlight that although they have visited several institutions during the Christmas season they are planning to visit the male prison to donate packages to the inmates.

On Thursday December 28, John Bascombe from the Caribbean Reference Laboratory at Paul’s Avenue made a donation of $1,000 to the organisation on behalf of his company.

The Salvation Army is one of the main organisations in St Vincent and the Grenadines which provides food and clothing to the less fortunate.