'Christmas at Home' Children's Home, Columbus House Celebrate Holiday Season
The Freeport News, December 08, 2003
By BARBARA WALKIN, barbara@nasguard.com

On Sunday afternoon the administration, children and house parents of the Grand Bahama Children's Home and the Columbus Houses for Teens, welcomed guests to their annual Christmas tree lighting and open house. "This is our third Christmas in the new facility so we combined our tree lighting with the Village because we are really one family down here," said Lady Henrietta St. George, patron of the Home.

The area where the Children's Home and the Columbus Houses for Boys and Girls are located is referred to as the 'The Village.' She explained that the teenagers live in the houses and the younger children live in the Home. Lady Henrietta St. George, patron of the Home said, "it is a tremendous, tremendous job we take on here to look after all of these children, who have been damaged through one reason or another." She added that the Grand Bahama community supports the work at the Homes, however, more can be done. "Lady Henrietta admitted that the GB Children's Home had "very, very little support" this year.

"It is very, very expensive to run these Homes, the government cannot do it on their own. So the community does need to support us." She noted that this year, from the newsletters that were sent out, "we really did not get too much monetary response. So all cheques, visitors, outings, volunteers, good quality clothing and food are gratefully received. Anything that can help keep the costs down."

Lady Henrietta noted, "I don't know if it is just the way the world is going but a lot of children seem to be coming into our care." She added that there are a lot of problems in the world today, "child abuse, sex abuse, abandonment, drugs and all these children need to come into the home to be put into a place of safety." Lady Henrietta thanked and urged the community for their continued support.

Judy Johnson, administrator for the Grand Bahama Children's Home, added that the Grand Bahama community has been supportive of the Homes, "but more needs to be done." She also reminded them that this is the Christmas season and, "every year we try to place the children in various family homes."

Mrs. Johnson said the Home will be closed from December 23 to January 2, and officers are looking for families that are willing to take a child during the holidays. "We want the community to get involved in having and helping a child for Christmas," she said. She added, "I am so pleased to have the community that supports us throughout the year come out to see the children perform. This really makes me happy," she said.

The children sang, participated in skits and dance routines, entertaining visitors that included Bishop Godfrey and his wife, Iris Williams; Bishop Cardinal and Mrs. Olive McIntosh; Members of Parliament for Pine Ridge and Eight Mile Rock respectively, Ann Percentie and Lindy Russell respectively, and other members of the corporate community, who support the homes throughout the year.

At night fall Lady Henrietta lit the Christmas tree in front of the Children's Home complex.