The East Central Marching band offered an added excitement. - Anthony Minott

Four hundred and twenty-five children benefited from a treat hosted by the Evangelist Yvette Blake-led Children of Hope Ministries, held in Gregory Park, recently.

The children were given food and refreshments, toys and school supplies.

The youngsters were given additional entertainment by the East Central Marching Band that journeyed on foot from the headquarters of Children of Hope Ministries about 50 metres from the Gregory Park Primary School along the road to Watson Grove, playing some of the popular dancehall tunes.

"I have to give thanks to all those who help, it's the biggest treat I have ever had," an elated Evangelist Blake said. "I have to thank my sponsors, Arnaldo Brown, MP for East Central St Catherine, Hope Alive Ministry based in Nottingham, England, they donated the gifts, and also the various shops such as Miss Gloria, Juliet Wholesale, Bev and Sloley Wholesale, and Craig Wholesale and Chris Corner Shop."

Also contributing to the treat's success were the volunteers, Ultimate Care Pharmacy and Dr Edmund Reid.

The children of Hope Ministries, now Children of Hope Foundation Jamaica Limited, formed in 2004 by Evangelist Blake, is a not-for-profit organisation that takes on the role as provider - physically, mentally and emotionally, for children that are either neglected or come from homes where the family falls below the poverty line.

The children are given goods and school supplies to attain an education. In some cases, children do not have any birth certificates and the ministry assists them in getting.