Mustard Seed children get early Christmas cheer

Wards of the Mustard Seed Communities' children's home in Adelphi, St James, celebrated an early Christmas on Sunday with food, music, and even a visit from Santa Claus.

The Christmas cheer was courtesy of Janet Richards, who has made the event possible every year since 2011. Richards, who is employed to the Bank of Nova Scotia's Sam Sharpe Square branch in Montego Bay, told WESTERN STAR that she and her children started this yearly Christmas treat to show the children love during the festive season.

"This project started with my two daughters and myself, and I got help from many of my friends," said Richards. "I love these kids like they are my own, and somebody has to be there for them because they have no parents."

Richards also sees the children on a weekly basis throughout the year, leading up to the Yuletide season.

"On Sundays, I come up here and feed the children, and I buy ice cream and cake and I fellowship with them. This is my home away from home, and they all know me," Richards remarked.

Her wish for the home's 33 wards, who all suffer from various developmental challenges, is that other persons will come and spend time with them.

"One of the things I'm going to ask of the community is if they can just visit the kids. It doesn't take much to care for these children; they just want to see somebody here," said Richards.