MONTEGO BAY, St James — Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon is looking forward to working with the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) on future treats for children in St James following a successful first effort Sunday.

This year the mayor’s office partnered with the JFB to host a Christmas treat for children in the parish during which more than 200 children were feted.

“I’m pleased that we continue to partner not just for the government work, so to speak, but for community activities and engagement. This is a good initiative and I understand that the fire department wants to continue this for several years to come, and the mayor’s office is always open to these initiatives,” Vernon told the Jamaica Observer.

He said this is the sort of initiative that he is always willing to support and get behind.

“Anybody who wants to partner to ensure that we reach out to our children and make an impact and ensure that we give them comfort, especially in the Christmas season [is welcome],” added Vernon as he pointed out that while Christmas is a time of celebration for some, others face difficulties.

Vernon underscored that it is good when agencies, such as the Jamaica Fire Brigade, can do a treat for those less fortunate.

“There are children out there who lack access to certain things. Some are sad and just a treat, a gift, a hug, something to let them feel loved, can actually save that child.

“We have to continue to reach out to the communities and ensure that we give of ourselves. Not just try to make money, not just try to go out and do the work that we have to do everyday on a nine-to-five, but to just give of ourselves. [We need to] go into the communities, look for these children, reach out to them, and give them a Merry Christmas and set the prospects right for a happy new year,” added Vernon.

The mayor explained that he had planned to do his own activities in terms of providing children in his division with toys and such delights, but when he got wind of the fire department’s plans, he saw an opportunity of good collaboration and gave the toys for that event instead.

“I was going to have to have my own treat until the Jamaica Fire Brigade came along and said they wanted to do something and I said I will make my treat your treat and we do it together,” he said.

On Sunday the Harbour Street car park, which is operated by the St James Municipal Corporation, was transformed into a child-friendly zone with bounce a bouts, trampolines, and a popcorn stand among other things.

There was food and drinks galore as sponsors such as Hyatt Hotels, S Hotels, Secrets Resorts, Pure Meats, St James Bakery, CPJ, Salmon Bakery, and St James Pharmacy came on board.

Head of the St James division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Acting Senior Superintendent Terry-Ann Leslie, was pleased with the collaboration that made the event happen.

“The mayor’s collaboration was instrumental in making our recent children’s treat event a resounding success. When we approached him for permission to use the municipal car park as a venue, he readily agreed and offered his full support,” said Leslie.

The event was a return to form for firefighters who have staged several treats for children in the parish in the past.

Leslie played a critical role in those treats which made provisions for wards of the State.

These treats were suspended for various reasons, but with the fire station returning to Barnett Street recently it was decided that this was one of the ways to connect back with the community.

“The St James division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade has come full circle as I have returned to the division and I had played a part in the launching of the ground-breaking outreach programme over a decade ago, and we have started it again,” said Leslie.