Insurance executive Peter Kanhai has denied that gift-bearing sponsors of the Prime Minister Children's Christmas Function are expected to receive kickbacks from the Government for their good deeds. The corporate sponsors who purchased Christmas presents for children, which were distributed at nine venues across T&T, have pumped millions into the initiative, a brainchild of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. As a matter of fact, Kanhai, who was given the task to chair the event last July, insists that the 25 to 30 corporate partners who offered to treat children did it out of goodwill and to give back to society for the Yuletide season. Some of the corporate sponsors were Kiss Bakery, SM Jaleel, Blue Waters, Bermudez, Cocoa Cola and Pepsi. From December 4 to 18, Persad-Bissessar handed out between 30,000 to 40,000 gifts, ranging from remote control cars and helicopters, Scrabble, Monopoly, dolls, stuffed toys, in particular teddy bears. At Skinner's Park, San Fernando, one of the venues, approximately 10,000 children were recipients of gifts with Tobago receiving just under 4,000 presents. All 41 Members of Parliament were asked to submit the names of 600 children from their constituency deserving of gifts.
Pricey gifts
The toys which varied in prices ranging from $45 to $115 at one toy store were said to have cost the sponsors millions. Questioned how much money the sponsors injected into the events, Kanhai said "if I give you that information I would be lying. I really don't know." Kanhai also could not say what was the price range of the toys but admitted that they were of high quality. At least two of the educational board games, Monopoly and Scrabble Junior that were handed out fluctuated in prices at toy stores. At Toy Mart, Movie Towne, Scrabble and Monopoly were tagged at $115 and $45 respectively. However at Island Hobbies, Port-of-Spain the same games were sold for $235 and $89. At Toy Mart in Grand Bazaar remote control cars were priced from $60 to $1,500 with indoor helicopters fetching $429. Outdoor helicopters were much more expensive going at $2,000, while teddy bears fetched a cool $89.95. Each child also received a bag filled with snacks and a calendar bearing a photograph of the PM as well as a copy book. The children were also treated to bouncy castles, balloons, face paintings and entertainment.
A partisan project
Kanhai said the gift-giving exercise was "non political and by partisan project." "They were doing their social responsibility to the children." So much so, Kanhai, who worked with the European Union Poverty Reduction Programme under the People's National Movement said he was optimistic that Persad-Bissessar would want to treat the needy children again. "I suspect she (Persad Bissessar) will want it to be an annual event. "Once she gives us her directive, we as a committee would sit and plan."
So far, those who contributed to the initiative have expressed an interest to continue. "I believe more people will come to partner with the Prime Minister on this event." Depending on how much corporate sponsors Kanhai gets for 2011, the Government could probably double the number of gifts next year.
"If we as the Prime Minister's committee could attract a wider range of sponsors then we would be able to assist NGO's, school and churches." Kanhai said reaching out to others was part of the committee's goals.
He however admitted that following the last distribution, he received calls from a number of corporate citizens asking how they could get involved for the next event. Though it was late for some, Kanhai said he welcomed everyone to participate. A community activist, Kanhai admitted that his committee comprising 10 members and 300 volunteer members spent sleepless nights at a warehouse tagging and arranging the gifts according to age and sex of each child. Kanhai, who heads The Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce and is director/marketing and technical at Comprehensive Insurance Brokers Ltd said if he is given clearance to continue the job for Christmas 2011, the planning time would have to be expanded to cater for more kids. "We would also have to increase the venues." Although Kanhai said an autopsy on the event is yet to be done, Persad-Bissessar was pleased with what the committee had done.