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Parliament staff fetes seniors

Published:Thursday | December 14, 2017 | 12:00 AMEdmond Campbell
Briana Bogle (centre), student of St George’s College, shares her experience volunteering for the first time at a Christmas treat. Looking on are attendees Norma Campbell (left) and Udene Morris.
Brittney Garrick serves drinks to Linette Allen (left) at the Gordon House Christmas Treat on Thursday.
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It happens just once a year, but senior citizens who live in the vicinity of Gordon House - the seat of Jamaica's Parliament - eagerly look forward to the event when they are fÍted by the administrative staff of Parliament.

Merrick Brown, Parliament's systems administrator, donned another hat yesterday - that of resident disc jockey as he drew on his 'music selection' skills, leaving the seniors humming and tapping their feet to the familiar hits from the past.

Students from St George's College seized on the opportunity to serve the elderly and to listen to their wise counsel.

Briana Bogle, a sixth-form student from St George's College, described her participation in the event as a "good experience", noting that she spent some time interacting with two senior citizens.

Norma Campbell, one of the elderly persons who exchanged thoughts with Briana, said that she was delighted to speak with the young woman. "I told her to just hold on and lift up her head. I like to see young people move on, so I was just encouraging her," Campbell told The Gleaner.

Several companies and organisations made donations, which were packaged and delivered to the residents.

The treat for the elderly took place in the morning, while in the afternoon, the children from the community were also fÍted by the staff at Gordon House.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com