By: Orville Wright
The Restoration of Life Mission of Christ Apostolic Church in St Ann’s Bay, St Ann hosted its annual back-to-school treat for several young children from different communities surrounding St Ann’s Bay on Saturday, August 27, 2016.
Pastor and nurse Albertha Boswell-James, with support from the church, friends and relatives, puts on a treat every year for the children and has been doing so for the past 25 years, just before the start of the school year. This year, Pastor Boswell-James had the extra hands of several contributors of items that would be of good use to the children, heading back to school.
Some of these people included Dr. Julio Calderin, Bishop Alan Anderson, Bishop Neville Benjamin, Pastor David Allen, Kadesha Bigby, Machean Bigby, Michael and Evette Parker of Jamaica America Association of Orlando, Florida; Nina Webster, Rayon Wright and several others who contributed generously for these children. Mrs James also gave credit to Dawnmarie Lowery who has always been devoted in helping her with the treat, yearly, despite her absence at this year’s treat.
There were nearly 300 children present at the church, in anticipation of receiving back-to-school items. The organizers gave out refreshments including hot dogs and drinks as refreshments to the children and parents.
The children received stationery items such as note books, pencils, crayons, shoes, rulers and school bags. Parents were extremely happy and thankful for the tremendous work being done by Mrs James. Approximately 2,500 notebooks were imported and every child present at the function left with a token.
The treat had become better known and it has become acknowledged that the items she was bringing in are for good and charitable causes.
Donations of several items were also made to the St Ann Infirmary. Nurse April Tulloch, assistant matron at the infirmary was on hand to receive the items. Mrs James also said a wheel chair will be sent to the infirmary as it did not arrive on time to be handed over at the treat. Nurse James emphasized also that she initially started a breakfast programme which is still in operation at the Lime Hall primary school where 55 children are fed with breakfast every morning.
She is well known for her kindness and love towards children as she wants them to be the best and to excel in life. Nurse James is also anticipating a Christmas treat which always follows the back-to-school treat. This Christmas treat has been held every year since 1991.
