Xodus looking to fulfill youngsters’ dreams for the holidays
Published:Monday | December 11, 2023 | 12:11 AMAinsworth Morris/Staff Reporter
With scores of Jamaica’s less fortunate children still left wondering if they will get a gift this Christmas, Xodus – one of Jamaica’s Carnival bands – has taken on elf-like duties by calling for revellers and others to gather 800 toys in time for Christmas Day.
The first advertisement making the call was placed four days ago, with a request for toys for children ages four to 16 years being welcomed until December 19. The primary beneficiaries will be children living in children’s homes.
Speaking on behalf of the popular carnival band organisers, Kamal Bankay, group chairman of Dream Entertainment Limited and Xodus Carnival Company, sought to explain to The Gleaner on Sunday why he was calling for the more fortunate to donate.
“Our target is 800 kids, and we will accept and give as many gifts as possible. If we get more than 800 gifts received, then the kids will get more than one gift, so we encourage everyone to give as many gifts as possible,” Bankay said.
“I think it’s a really good initiative to assist kids in state homes that do not have the love and support of families to give them gifts. Xodus is trying to bring some Christmas cheer to brighten up their season,” he said.
Donations can be dropped off at the Xodus showroom at 3 Musgrave Avenue in New Kingston. The first 20 people to make a donation will receive a free walk-in ticket to Xodus Tailgate, which will be held on April 4, 2024.
He noted that most of the toys collected will be given to Food For The Poor Jamaica for its Angel of Hope programme.
“Food For The Poor is a long-standing charity partner of our company, Dream Entertainment, the parent company of Xodus Carnival. We partnered with Food For The Poor in 2018 to build a house for a family in Westmoreland where we do our flagship Dream Weekend festival,” Bankay said.