Carnival brings joy to students

By LEDEDRA FERGUSON

Senior Freeport News Reporter

lededra@nasguard.com

Carnival Cruise Lines brought joy to dozens of primary school students yesterday as part of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) holiday gift distribution programme.

The programme is an ongoing one organized by the Ministry of Tourism in conjunction with the FCCA.

Last year, Disney Cruise Line brought presents for children on Grand Bahama and this year Carnival Cruise Lines donated 200 gifts.

Several students from The Beacon School, a special education institution which caters to children with special needs, Freetown Primary, Martin Town Primary, Walter Parker Primary, Freeport Primary and Lewis Yard Primary packed the International Room of the Crowne Plaza Monday morning.

They received a special visit from Santa Claus, about 20 of his helpers and Carnival's mascot "Funship Freddie."

Captain Vito Giacalone, Master of the Fantasy was pleased to be a part of such a programme.

"We have to return something to this beautiful island and the people. I'm really glad to be here and really glad to do this," he said.

Lisa Welsh, Youth Director with the Carnival Fantasy, said the programme began some six years ago and each year the cruise line chooses a different island.

"Carnival is a very affluent company and at this time of the year they feel they like to give back to the communities, especially the communities they have been coming to on a regular basis," she noted.

She explained that Freeport was chosen this year for its hospitality.

Carnival also calls at other countries such as Cozumel, Mexico; Jamaica and Belize.

Each year, Carnival Cruise Lines spends between $3,000 and $4,000 on gifts during this time, she noted.

Welsh admitted she got a little emotional, and believes people fail to realize the impact of a gift for a child.

"We take for granted we have a family and we have gifts given to us from our family, whether it is a handshake, a hug or a hello and some of these children don't even have that.

"So this gift is probably the only gift they're going to get this Christmas. So they have something to open and it says somebody cares. That's why we do it," she said.

Eric Laing, executive of the Ports of Entry Department in the Ministry of Tourism, was pleased with the turnout, despite the fact that several schools are closed.

"We try to rotate the schools every year, so we try to give everybody a chance to come out and enjoy the gifts," the executive noted.

While not all 200 students were present, Laing said the looks on the youngsters faces makes the programme well worth it.

CAPTION

RECEIVING GIFTS — Students from primary schools throughout the island stood in the receiving line yesterday and waited patiently on Santa for their gift. Also pictured is Captain Vito Giacalone, Master of the Fantasy, and the ship's mascot "Funship Freddie" on his left. (Staff photo by Lededra Ferguson)

© 2003 The Freeport News