If putting on a big red suit, the fake white facial hair and doing the jolly “ho ho ho” is too much for you, but you still want to play Santa and spread some Christmas cheer, we know just the thing for you to do. Sheldon Pereira, photographer-musician stumbled upon a fantastic idea last year. He made the kids from orphanages in the city write a letter to Santa Claus in which they mentioned what gift they want from him. These letters were collected and distributed among people who volunteered to ‘be Santa’ for any one of the kids last year. Gifts were bought by the volunteers according to the letter they got, and after they were wrapped with love, they were collected and given to the kids at a fun Christmas fair organised specially for them.
“Last year, there were 72 kids from orphanages from Madh Island in Mumbai. This year, I hope there will be more kids,” says Pereira, who has already broadcast the details of the fair called Christmas Rock N Roll along with a call for volunteer Santas and sponsors to all the people in his contact list. “You see, during Christmas time, everyone gives donations to charitable institutions, orphanages, NGOs and so on. People tend to give rations, clothes and so on. And yes, these things do help. But I just wanted to make Christmas special for the kids, and find a way to get them the gifts they want. So every child made a wishlist for Santa with anything from shoes to a remote control car. People who volunteer to be their Santa, are given one child’s wishlist and they can choose what they want to give,” says he.
Like last year, the Sunday before Christmas, all the kids will be brought by bus to Rosary Square, at St Joseph’s High School, Orlem, Mumbai for a fun Christmas party. “There will be a bouncing castle and many games for the kids to play, a DJ who will be playing their favourite songs, and yummy refreshments. All this is also sponsored -- a DJ will donate his services, someone else will sponsor the sound system, and another one will arrange the food. Some people do performances like miming, sing carols, we all pitch in as much as we can, but as they say — the more, the merrier. We require sponsors to make this event bigger and better for more children. We all pitch in however we can, with whatever we can, to make it a truly merry Christmas for everyone,” says Pereira who makes sure that the kids are back in the buses and off to their residence by 8 pm.
“This time, one orphanage has not given the kids permission to come for the fair. Though they will miss out on the fun there, I plan on going over to the orphanage the next day to give them their gifts,” says he.
The gift donors are also invited to the fun fair. “It’s a small gathering in the school premises since I am the Trustee here. There will be a flea bazaar where all the stalls are free this time. Santa, dressed up in the costume and everything, will be sitting on a small stage and the children will go up one by one, sit on his lap, have a small chat and get their gift from him,” he says.
You don’t need big bucks to make Christmas special for someone, all you need is a big heart.
ST Reader Service
The Christmas Rock N Roll will take place on December 22 at Rosary Square, St Joseph’s High School, Orlem, Malad (west). Those interested in gifting a gift or sponsoring the event in any capacity can get in touch with Sheldon Pereira on 9820739417.
