New Yorkers Brian and Pauline Clarke put a twinkle in the eyes of more than three hundred children in Lodge Village – a small environ in Guyana, when they shared gifts of educational tools, toys and goody bags to bring laughter to the faces of the little ones during their 30th Christmas party and gift giving.
The children arrived promptly at 2:00 p.m. all dolled up in their very best outfits and were welcomed by the charitable Guyanese that hosted the Christmas party at their home in the village to continue their love and commitment to giving back.
The festive afternoon of caroling, live music and games of musical chairs and friendly competition lasted into the wee-hours of the night. The children enjoyed lots of delicious local food, drink and sweets and a promise from their host, they will continue to entertain them each year during the festive season.
The Clarkes, who started the traditional Christmas party in 1981, by giving out just 13 dolls, and 12 water pistols, to 25 less fortunate children, have seen the party grow to include 400 plus children who bring their parents for the fun-filled festive event.
With small donations in the past, the Guyanese Americans have themselves have stayed true to the cause by putting aside a weekly savings to ensure that the children are not disappointed at Christmas where they wait eagerly each year to receive a gift, said the Clarkes.
Brian Clarke, who is the president of the ‘FLANK’ a Brooklyn-based Guyanese organization that hosts an annual Guyana family fun day during the summer season in Heckscher State Park, said his family feels blessed that they can celebrate and bring Christmas cheer to the children in the neighborhood.
