Civil servants rallied to support families in need this holiday season through the annual Cayman Islands Government Giving Tree initiative.
The gift drive, which benefits young mothers, families and older people across the islands, invited government employees and community members to select tags from giving trees and fulfil specific holiday wishes, the government said in a press release.
Trees were positioned at the Government Administration Building in Grand Cayman and the District Administration Building in Cayman Brac, with donations ranging from toys and baby items to grocery and restaurant gift certificates.
“The Giving Tree initiative truly captures the spirit of Christmas,” said Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service Franz Manderson said.
He added, “I am incredibly proud of the compassion and generosity demonstrated by our team in supporting children and families who may otherwise go without. This initiative truly embodies our purpose of making lives better.”
Manderson presented the collected gifts to representatives from the Department of Children and Family Services, Family Resource Centre and Department of Financial Assistance last week. The organisations will oversee the distribution of the donations to their clients, the release noted.