Pizza Hut spreads joy to wards of the State slice by slice

Tina Matalon, Marketing Manager for Pizza Hut Jamaica, shares slices of cake at the Nest Children’s Home Christmas Treat.

IN CELEBRATION of the festive season, Pizza Hut Jamaica shared the Christmas cheer by preparing specially prepared meals and gifts for the wards of three children’s homes in St. Andrew and St. Catherine.

More than 160 stations and carers at the Sunbeam Home for Boys, Annie Dawson Children’s Home and Nest Children’s Home benefited from the series of festive holiday treats hosted by the Quick Service brand.

“Christmas is a very special time for many and children look forward to gifts and all that the season brings. It’s our third year of hosting the treat and it’s getting better every year. During this time, we are focused on spreading love and joy by sharing the gift of a delicious pizza to put a smile on little ones’ faces,” said Levene Sheriff, Pizza Hut Marketing Officer.

“A key focus of Pizza Hut is to provide children with opportunities to excel while creating lasting, positive memories. Youth development is a big part of Pizza Hut’s philanthropic initiatives. While most of our focus is on education, it’s also important to occasionally provide a treat to lift the spirits.

Donnatte McGregor (left), social worker at the Annie Dawson Children’s Home, shares a ‘heart moment’ with Pizza Hut’s Marketing Officer Levene Sheriff (center) and Paula Thompson, Administrative Assistant at the Annie Dawson Children’s Home, during a Christmas present for staff and residents at the facility .

“Pizza Hut knows how important Christmas is to children and it is gratifying to see the smiles on children’s faces when their wishes are granted. The response has been fantastic and we’re happy to see them happy,” added Sheriff.

Highlighting the challenges of being a state community, Sunbeam Home for Boys director Desmond Whitely said: “Christmas can be a difficult and worrying time for the vulnerable young people in our care. Being away from their families, especially around Christmas, can dampen children’s spirits, so any attempt to mitigate this effect is a positive one. Therefore, treats like Pizza Hut’s can go a long way in cheering up the kids and bringing joy to the holiday season.

Meanwhile, Captain Keith Haughton of the Nest Children’s Home noted that it has been over a year since the children have had an opportunity to reconnect with the Pizza Hut team.

“Pizza Hut came at the right time. The children were happy. We are grateful that Pizza Hut visits them and brings them so much joy. It’s something of great appreciation,” Haughton said.

The atmosphere at the treats was filled with pure cheer as staff and children expressed their gratitude for the Christmas activities.

“Today the children could rest, relax, clear their minds and be children. We appreciate Pizza Hut for remembering our children and it’s another way of saying they are cared for,” said Ivanine Nikie, executive director of the Annie Dawson Home for Children.