Adopt a Bear brings joy to hundreds of island children
For the fourth consecutive year, 'Adopt a Bear' project brought happiness to hundreds of children on Ambergris Caye. Five hundred children who wouldn't otherwise receive a Christmas present were gifted on Thursday, December 20th.
As of 9AM, island children gathered at Hope Haven Center to receive their gifts from Santa Claus, complete with hugs and even candy. Several wanted their picture with the jolly man in red too.
One island mother told The San Pedro Sun that her children have been receiving gifts from 'Adopt a Bear' project since 2015 and she is beyond grateful. "I'm a single mother with four kids, so sometimes it's hard to purchase Christmas presents for all of them. I appreciate the help I have been getting with the 'Adopt a Bear' project for the past four years," she said.
The "Adopt a Bear" program began in 2015 and was founded by co-owner of Sandbar Hostel and Restaurant, Brittney O'Daniel and Kaitlin McWhorter (formerly of Projects Abroad), with the aim to bring happiness to children of modest means in San Pedro Town.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun