Thu | Mar 28, 2024

Faith United spreads Christmas joy in Mandela Terrace

Published:Wednesday | December 26, 2018 | 12:00 AM
These sisters getting ready to hand out gifts at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat.
Sisters Maisie and Rochelle handing out gifts to the children at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat at 53 Mandela Terrace, Kingston 11 on Sunday, December 23.
Pastor Charles Francis preparing to hand out gifts to the children from the Santa sacks at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat at 53 Mandela Terrace, Kingston 11 on Sunday, December 23.
Pastor Charles Francis holds the pinata as this little one attempts to break it at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat.
Children grabbing the treats from the pinata at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat.
Pastor Charles Francis handing out gifts to the children at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat at 53 Mandela Terrace, Kingston 11 on Sunday, December 23.
Playing a game of musical chairs at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat.
This young man was enjoying the bubbles at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat.
It was down to the wire in the soda drinking contest for these young men Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat.
These young ladies decided to take on the bun eating contest at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat.
Can he find the right place to pin the tail on the donkey at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat?
Selecting her prize after winning the bun eating contest at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat
Sisters Christine Francis (centre), Yanique Mullings (left) and Donmarie Thompson getting ready to hand out gifts at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat.
Anastasia Cunningham, Christmas treat coordinator, handing out loot bags at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat at 53 Mandela Terrace, Kingston 11 on Sunday, December 23.
Anastasia Cunningham (second left), Christmas treat coordinator, shares a moment with Nyema Smith (left), Nina Smith (second right) and Akyah Smith at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat at 53 Mandela Terrace, Kingston 11 on Sunday, December 23.
Getting ready to share refreshments at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat.
Handing out gifts at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat at 53 Mandela Terrace, Kingston 11 on Sunday, December 23.
Tennesia Malcolm (left) from The Gleaner, her daughter Suri Ennis (centre) and friend Deniellia Grindley pose for the camera at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat at 53 Mandela Terrace, Kingston 11 on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat at 53 Mandela Terrace, Kingston 11 on Sunday, December 23.
Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat at 53 Mandela Terrace, Kingston 11 on Sunday, December 23.
Sister Christine Francis hands Norman O'Mally his gift at the Faith United Church of God International 9th Annual Christmas Treat at 53 Mandela Terrace, Kingston 11 on Sunday, December 23
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"This is the best treat I've ever been to!" exclaimed an excited Dianne, almost out of breath with her hands full of goodies from the pinata.

Children and adults alike were laughing and screaming with excitement as they made a mad dash when the very fat pinata finally burst open, everyone grabbing for the sweets, toys and other treats that it was filled with.

No doubt, the breaking of the pinata was the highlight of Faith United Church of God International ninth annual Christmas treat, hosted for the Mandela Terrace community in St Andrew.

Held on Sunday, December 23 at 53 Mandela Terrace, the beautifully decorated church was filled to capacity, as families from within the community and elsewhere came out to enjoy the festivities.

Activities such as phone credit treasure hunt, add the credit, pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs, guess the Christmas carol, guess the characters of the bible, singing contest, bun eating contest and soda drinking contest kept everyone quite entertained.

Each person had a bellyfull of pizza, chicken and rolls, hot dogs, cup cakes, snacks and juices, and then some.

Of course, everyone went home with something, whether it was Digicel or FLOW phone credit, toys courtesy of Digicel Foundation, loot bags filled with goodies, gifts from their secret Santa, a handful of treats from the pinata, among several other giveaways.

The church expressed special thanks to sponsors Digicel Foundation, Sagicor Foundation, Member of Parliament Dr Peter Philips, Dr Alfred Dawes, Headline Entertainment/Breakthrough Communications, Newton Robertson from Digicel SportsMax, Carmen Patterson and Associates, family and friends.

"We are forever grateful for the continued support to host this annual Christmas treat," stated Pastor Charles Francis. "Words can't explain how much it warms the heart to see the joy the children experience each year at this special occasion. It really means a lot to bring some measure of love, joy, laughter and something special to others."