Children enjoy Christmas cheer

For the fifth consecutive year, our readers and sponsors made it possible for the NEWS to host a delightful Christmas party for the children from Pinocchio Educare Centre.

The NEWS hosted the party on Tuesday last week and each child received a Christmas present sponsored by readers and NEWS staff. For most of the children, the only Christmas presents they will get this year are those sponsored by the community.

Every year the NEWS is overwhelmed by the eager response to the call for readers to come forward and “adopt” a child by buying a gift for that child. This year was no different with all 45 children receiving a gift.

With the support of 7 Eagles Spur, Karaglen SuperSpar and De Backery in Edenvale, the NEWS not only handed out gifts but also hosted a fun-filled party.

The party kicked off with the arrival of the day’s special guest, Santa Claus who immediately started handing out Christmas presents. The NEWS was assisted by Edenvale resident, Luke Henderson, and pupils from Jeppe High School for Girls, Shannon Hawker, Ntsako Mhlanga and Farah Bux.

Every year it is extremely heart-warming to see the appreciation on every child’s face when opening their presents. Readers went the extra mile with the gift selections and each child received a beautiful present.

The handing out of the gifts was followed by a delicious lunch sponsored by 7 Eagles Spur in Greenstone Shopping Centre.

Another surprise awaited the children when Wouter Mentz from 7 Eagles Spur and his staff handed out Teddy Bears donated by Spur patrons.

Lunch was followed by a treat from De Backery in Edenvale with a sponsorship of delicious cupcakes.

More treats awaited the children with goodie boxes filled with sweet packs, chips and cold drinks from Karaglen SuperSpar.

The staff and sponsors spent a fun-filled few hours with the children.

Pinocchio Educare Centre is an early learning centre for the stimulation and development of children from impoverished and low-income families in Edenvale and surrounding areas. Despite financial constraints, Child Welfare South Africa Edenvale and the Pinocchio Educare Centre manage to continue its services to the community.

There were numerous changes at Child Welfare South Africa Edenvale in recent years with principal, Ms Cheralle Beddar, bringing about significant improvements in staff appointments, the facilities and ensuring that the children receive the best possible education and care.

The NEWS and children from Pinocchio Educare Centre send out a huge thank you to our readers, 7 Eagles Spur, Karaglen SuperSpar and De Backery in Edenvale for making this day memorable.