“Five, four, three, two, one!” children counted down Saturday afternoon, waiting to be showered in toys and novelties at the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force’s annual Children’s Fun Day.
But instead of Santa Claus appearing at the end of the countdown, a variety of Disney characters appeared to hand out candy to dozens of boys and girls.
Police Sergeant Tilda Henry said the decision to nix St. Nick came when not enough money was raised to buy gifts for every child. If he showed up, she explained, every child would expect a gift.
The reason for this year’s tight budget is that new anti-money laundering laws prevent people from donating money to the Crime Prevention Department, she said. Instead, Ms. Henry had to go directly to prospective donors and ask them for cheques to buy specific items needed for the party.
The sergeant said she hopes to have an organisation established by next year to which direct donations can be made.
This year’s venue was also changed from the usual Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park to the Road Town Police Station compound.
Though only a little more than half of the usual 400 or so people attended, Ms. Henry said she thinks the children had a blast.
“I think some of the parents might have been disappointed, but the children had just as much fun as ever,” she said.
See the Dec. 18, 2014 edition for full coverage.
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