The Avari Towers hotel was buzzing with Christmas cheer on Saturday afternoon when the US Marines and American Women’s Club decided to spread some of the joy for the less fortunate among us.
The barrel-chested Marines chose the theme ‘Toys for tots’ for the children of the Don Bosco orphanage for boys and the Brenton Carey orphanage for girls. And while the children were excited about the gifts they had more fun singing Christmas songs and watching the Marines show off some nifty dance moves. A young girl, Malka, who danced with the crowd, gushed: “It is so much fun here... We played table tennis and rackets!” She was joined by an excited 14-year-old Alvin who belted out ‘Jingle Bells’ with the other boys.
The younger girls could barely contain their wonder for Andriana from the US consulate, who dressed up as Cinderella in a white off-shoulder gown whose look was completed with a tiara against her swept-up hair and diamonds at her throat.
“Nothing is more special than Christmas and children,” aptly remarked US Consul General William Martin.
And indeed, it seemed as if it wasn’t just the children who enjoyed themselves. Staff Sergeant Carpenter said that it was great to celebrate Christmas for the first time in Pakistan. “It is great to help children,” he said. “I love the ambiance.”
The American Women’s Club turned an upstairs hall into Mrs Claus’s cottage for a charity bazaar replete with Christmas tree ornaments, aprons, goodies and books. Their aim this year was to raise money for Dar-ul-Sukun and the Civil hospital burns centre, said member Kim Gilani.
As for Santa Claus - being played by Jim, a teacher at the Karachi American School - there were initial fears that the children would be too scared to approach him because of the big beard and even bigger belly. But then, they won’t be able to resist the candies in my bag, he quipped, with a twinkle in his eye and a ho ho ho.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2011.
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m so much impressed and happy to know this year U.S Consulate General honorable William Martin Providing a superb opportunity to celebrate christmas greetings with the Local girls and women here its a wonderful time to donate as much as everyone can cause its for noble cause, collective funds goes to help POOR and needy Persons also some Social Projects as mentioned in the article,, please Participate with your full devotion make possible to enjoy with your friends and families and discuss about this how to participate how to donate more n more from your available resources,, thanks,, Mazhar Rehman