Lion's Club brings Santa to the Brac

Santa visits and gives candy and toys to every child on 
the Brac

Santa and Mrs Claus begin the parade at Brac Reef Dock

Wednesday, December 31, 2003

Traditionally, the Lion's Club sponsors an annual trip for Santa to visit Cayman Brac. He arrived this year at the dock of Brac Reef Resort and travelled the entire island to bring a gift to every child. 

The Christmas Day parade, started after the transfer to Santa's sleigh, was complete by 3 pm and ended in Spot Bay by 5:30 pm. 

Secretary of the Lion's Club, Craig Mock said: "Two hundred gifts in all were passed out as children clambered excitedly from their homes down the roadside to witness Santa's arrival. 

Gifts for every age, from newborn to high school students were in Santa's sleigh, so that no child was disappointed. Every child gets a special visit from Santa and he leaves each one with candy and a personal gift."

The Lion's Club became aware that Santa had a problem finding chimneys in the Brac, so the club lends a helping hand each year and locals come along to play their parts by becoming reindeer and helpers for the day. Greta Tatum gave Mrs Claus a rest for the day and gave Santa a helping hand.

Since Santa's sleigh is a bit heavy for the roofs in Cayman Brac, the Lion's ferry Santa into the Brac Reef dock, then equip a float to travel the roads of the island and spare the costly repairs that can result from such an airborne landing. Smiling and waving children anxiously await his arrival at the dock then wave the Christmas crew off to continue the parade.

Mr Mock said: "The Lion's Club of Cayman Brac has taken on this tradition for the past 15 years and the Sunday prior to the parade for the children, they sponsor a delivery and distribution to the senior citizens of the Brac. Those gifts are generally food items and small gifts. Many of the senior pack items are donated by local merchants." 

"Every year Lion's member, Mark Tibbetts makes a trip to Tampa to purchase the gifts and candies. The annual Christmas dinner for the club is where each gift is individually wrapped by members of the club." 

"Past President, Fred Wissing, the current president of the group, Terry Chesnard and other members worked together to distribute 150 gifts to the elderly folks of the island. Tim Houlihan also loaned a hand to help," he concluded.

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