The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Senator the Hon. Kathy Simmons, JP recently attended the Department of Child and Family Services Annual Christmas Party for Children in Foster Care.
Minister Simmons said, “The Department of Child and Family Services would like to acknowledge the following community partners, organizations, companies and many individuals for their generous Christmas gifts and donations to our families during this holiday season. As the Department of Child and Family Services continues to advance its mission of promoting and protecting the best interests of children, these partnerships and donations are admirable and sincerely appreciated especially during this Christmas Season.
“The Department of Child and Family Services’ Family Preservation Team has received donations from the following: the Continental Society of Bermuda; the Salvation Army – annual hamper program; the Coalition for the Protection of Children; the Bermuda Monetary Authority; FIL Ltd; Hanover Re; Beecher & Carlson Re; the Spirit of Bermuda; AIG; Vernon Temple AME Church and the Ladies of the Professional Liability re/insurance industry.
“The Department’s Foster Care Section receives tremendous support throughout the year from the Foster Parents Association (a Registered Charity). The Association’s main purpose is to support Foster Parents and Foster Children in areas where there are no government funds available.
“During this season, the President of the Foster Parents Association, Ms. Lindsay Simmons, organized the concept of "The Angel Tree" at Rosa's Restaurant. Anyone dining there could select an "Angel" from the tree (each angel represented a foster child with their wish list items) and donate a gift for foster children. This year the Foster Parents had a surprise donation of $9000.00 from Akil Darrell, a waiter at Rosa’s who instead of receiving gifts for his 37th Birthday which he celebrated in October, asked family and friends both locally and overseas to make a donation to the Foster Parents Association. Over 100 people contributed to this selfless endeavor. Mr. Darrell is to be thanked for the difference that his donation will make in the lives of Bermuda’s Foster Children. The Foster Parents Association is also pleased to receive gifts for the children from Ren Re staff who each year provide support and donations.”