IN an effort to raise funds to assist families in need during the upcoming Christmas season, the Heart of the Village Foundation hosted a huge charity fund raiser last month.

The two day event took place  at  Conquerors Grounds in Raghunanan Road,Enterprise, Chaguanas.

Activities included cook-off competitions, bouncy castles, water slides, games, fire works and performances by several local artistes.
Marisha Narinesingh, one of the coordinators of the event, said the fund raiser was held to support the Foundation's annual Christmas Day charity event called " Santa's Train Ride," hosted for the past two years in central Trinidad.

She said, "This is a gift giving parade done in collaboration with the business community, distributing toys and food hampers, bringing love, joy and Christmas cheer to poor, needy and specially gifted children and their families. Last year we were able to distribute 750 hampers and 7,500 toys in the areas of Enterprise, Longdenville, Cunupia and Montrose."

This year, Narinesingh said many business persons said because of economic problems, they would not have been able to donate as much as they would like too hence the reason for the fund-raiser.

She said this year, the Foundation was hoping to raise $100,000 to distribute in addition to hampers and toys, mattresses, bedspreads, pillows, mini appliances and if possible refrigerators and stoves. So far approximately $60,000 was raised and there were numerous donations of canned foods, water and soft drinks.

Narinesingh said this year, there is going to a new initiative called, " Toy for Joy" where toys will be distributed to children throughout Trinidad. She said booths will be set up at various malls throughout the country where citizens can donate toys to be distributed.

She  said even though the Foundation only gave out items on Christmas Day, members were looking forward to having similar distributions throughout the year.

For additional information, you can contact 375-4439 or 465-2340.