MINISTER MICHAEL REMARKS FCCA 2015 ANNUAL GIFT

Welcome to the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association and their members. Warmest thanks from everyone in Antigua and Barbuda to the FCCA And their Foundation for organizing the 18th Annual Gift Project. We cannot express how wonderful and impactful this Annual Gift Project is for the children in need of Antigua and Barbuda.

Christmas and the holidays, as untold hundreds of songs have said can be the most wonderful time of the year. However for those parents who are in real need and struggling throughout the year, Christmas can be even worse when they are unable to provide gifts for their children. The Foundation and annual gift project truly makes a difference for the disadvantaged children of Antigua and Barbuda. Through these gifts and organized celebratory party, the FCCA helps these children, by bringing them joy during this time of year as all children deserve. Together, they are representing the true spirit and nature of the holidays – generosity and supporting others.

I am sure that the gifts being received from the generosity of the FCCA will make a difference in the lives of the children to whom they will be given.

In fact over 7,000 children across the Caribbean will benefit from the gift project – so I would just like all of us to take a moment and applaud the FCCA for this amazing generosity of the past 18 years. While we know that there is still much to be done to improve the economic circumstances for all our citizens and residents, in Antigua and Barbuda, you can rest assured that this administration is aggressively working to combat lack and to eradicate disadvantage wherever it’s found.

We hope that the Annual Gift Project will continue to bring much needed joy and happiness to the children who look forward with such anticipation to receiving their gifts.  So with that, I would like to wish everyone a Merry, Peaceful and Blessed Christmas!