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The adage says “it is better to give than to receive,” and the Cayman Islands Government will do its part to spread goodwill this festive season, by supporting the Family Resource Centre (FRC), Needs Assessment Unit (NAU) and Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) with their respective gift-giving drives.

Launching on Friday, 27 November and wrapping up on Tuesday, 15 December, this year’s Giving Tree appeal also seeks support from the general public and local businesses to help make this Christmas special for everyone in the community, particularly FRC, DCFS and NAU clients.

509. take part, persons can visit the CIG Giving Tree in the Government Administration Building’s public lobby (open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Select a donation present tag from the tree and return with the unwrapped present in a gift bag (tag affixed) and place under the Giving Tree by no later than noon on Tuesday, 15 December. Gifts sought include wellness products and experiences, gift certificates for dining, attraction passes, staycation gift certificates, children’s gifts and family support such as gift certificates for fuel, groceries and utilities.

Head of the Civil Service and Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson is encouraging civil servants to get behind the gift-giving drive as a means of supporting both colleagues and the wider community, in a particularly difficult year.

He says: “Public servants have impressed me this year with their generosity and community mindedness, supporting the CIG Cares initiative to raise money for the NAU and Meals on Wheels. Both of these organisations have proved vital this year as we deal with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The FRC, NAU and DCFS provide year-round support to the community, but there’s no better time than Christmas for us to step up and realise our purpose to make the lives of those we serve better. I encourage everyone to join me in supporting the CIG Giving Tree to make the festive period a little brighter and more joyful for those in need.”

HE the Governor, Martyn Roper and Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin were among the first to collect their donation tags and support this year’s gift-giving drive.

“It’s wonderful to have the opportunity again this year to provide a gift for those in need. I encourage civil servants to come and collect their tags, as I have done, and provide a gift so that the FRC, NAU and DCFS can distribute them to those in need in our community. It is a great gesture from the civil service to help those who need our support, particularly during this most difficult of years,” His Excellency says.

The Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin adds: “As Minister for Community Affairs, I am very conscious of the challenges many in our community face, even in the best of times. This has been truly a difficult year; it’s more important than ever that we do all that we can to make the most vulnerable in our community feel the love and spirit of Christmas.”

Last year’s gift-giving initiative gathered close to 400 presents for members of the community.

Donors are encouraged to take a selfie or a short video clip and share it using #CIGGiving.