Andrea McGibbon (left), financial controller for the Shipping Association of Jamaica has words of love and encouragement for this woman during the SAJ's Golden-Age Christmas Treat last Wednesday.

Christmas is the time of year to spread joy and who better to receive this wonderful gift than the foundation of the society, our elderly and youth. The Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) being fully aware of this, ensured that both groups from the Greenwich Town community received some Christmas cheer.

Managers and staff came out in their numbers last week to show love to these community members who are the SAJ's neighbours. The annual Golden-age Christmas Treat was held on Wednesday at the association's Fourth Avenue offices. Over 80 elderly citizens were the company's specially invited guests. They were treated to lunch and musical entertainment by the association's chorale. Each guest was given a parting Christmas 'goody bag' to preserve the cheer.

On Friday Santa Claus visited over 50 students and teachers at the Marcus Garvey Basic School, the association's adopted school, for a day of fun. Santa handed gifts to the children at their East Avenue school while encouraging them to continue to be good boys and girls so that next year he will return with more presents for them. Before the children hopped into the Daffy Duck bounce-about, their faces were turned into works of art by Quan the clown who also made them balloon animals.

The SAJ provides year-round assistance for the Marcus Garvey Basic School and the Greenwich Town community.

Gleeful children at the Marcus Garvey Basic School thank Santa Claus for bringing them gifts during his visit to their school last Friday.