The Supreme Ventures Foundation (SVF) brought early Christmas cheer to 100 children in State care during a ‘North Pole Supreme’ themed Christmas treat filled with games, activities, and gifts at the Hope Zoo last Friday.

In its long-standing partnership with the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), the SVF continues to seek ways to make a positive impact on the lives of children who are in State care.

Children from the Glenhope, City of Refuge, Strathmore Gardens, and the Nest children’s homes were engaged in activities ranging from Christmas cookie decoration to art and craft sessions, to being able to pet and interact with the animals at the zoo as SVF left no stones unturned to ensure the children had nothing less than an amazing day.

Director of the SVF Heather Goldson stated that this initiative was very important for the foundation.

“It is always a rewarding feeling to see the smiles and pure joy emanating from the children year after year, and knowing that we were able to play a part in their happiness is very heart warming. There is a strong sense of volunteerism here at the foundation and so we utilise it by helping to contribute to the development and mental well-being of these children,” said Goldson.

She noted that the SVF has championed numerous benevolent initiatives in partnership with the CPFSA throughout the years, and so, in addition to having an existing flagship fire safety partnership with a number of children’s homes, and added that the ability to provide the children with a Christmas treat of this measure helped to cement its commitment to the well-being of children in State care.

“Throughout the duration of the [novel coronavirus] pandemic, the Supreme Ventures Foundation hosted smaller treats, however, thought it apt to organise a grand experience this year by engaging the children in a fun, open-air environment where they were able to enjoy full-scale Christmas festivities,” said Goldson, who added that while the aim of this initiative was for the wards to have fun and relax, the foundation desires to ignite a spirit of gratitude and celebration in them.

“The children were well deserving of this treat. I am pleased that the foundation was able to execute this initiative as it will no doubt leave a positive impact on the children and start their Christmas celebrations on a good note. We have to make it our priority to invest in our children because they are our future, they are the nation-builders of tomorrow,” continued Goldson.

In addition to the cookie decorations and the art and craft sessions, the children indulged in cotton candy, popcorn, and snow cone treats while petting the animals. Feeding the camels and budgie birds were some of the treats they also enjoyed.

The icing on the cake for the children was being able to take a photo with Santa and his elves, while ensuring Santa knew the very minute details of their Christmas wish lists. The house mothers were not excluded from the festivities of the day.

The foundation expressed its gratitude to the house mothers by gifting them with tokens of appreciation for their hard work and dedication to caring for these vulnerable children.