Nov. 28, 2007 — About 50 island tots had a barrel of fun Wednesday morning as they got an early taste of Christmas with five off-island guests: Goofy, Chip and Dale, Minnie and Mickey Mouse.
The Disney Magic sailed into Charlotte Amalie harbor early in the morning, and shortly afterward the Disney critters headed up to Palms Court Harborview Hotel to meet a room full of very excited three to six-year-olds. The ballroom was filled with color, red-and-white balloons waving over the tables.
The youngsters, dressed in their holiday finest — glittery hairdos, frilly dresses, best dress shirts — approached the Disney crew hesitantly.
"They're too big," said 3-year-old Tamika Peets, shying away before Minnie caught her up in a right-sized hug.
The Disney Holiday Gift project is an annual affair hosted by the Disney Cruise Line, the V.I. Tourism Department and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association for children from the various Human Services programs.
"Most of the youngsters today are from Head Start and from our foster-care program," said Elisa Niles, Head Start licensing specialist, as the youngsters danced around the tables, keeping time to the lively music played by disc jockey Nicholas Maynard.
Herding the youngsters around the ballroom were a handful of Disney VoluntEars, decked out in bright yellow T-shirts, along with a couple of ship's officers dressed in crisp white uniforms, accented by colorful red-and-white knit scarves.
"The crew donates its time," said Mark Witko, Disney Cruise Line marketing manager. "This is the best part of our year. This makes our sixth year. … We are bringing gifts to 2,000 children in eight ports."
Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson Doty, dressed in a bright red suit, clearly enjoyed her first time presiding over the event.
"This is so special for all of us," she said, by way of welcome. "We are so grateful to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association for continuing to support this event."
Speaking later, Doty said, "This time of year it is so important that these children who are in need are cared for. We want to make them feel special. We need to look out for all the children, because, at the end of the day, they are the leaders of tomorrow."
Earlier in the morning, the tots were entertained by a familiar face. Glenn "Kwabena" Davis, director of the popular Voices of Love choir and traditional island bearer of Christmas tidings, led the children in a singalong, followed by a conga line of tiny tots parading around the room.
"The children love to sing," Davis said, "and some of them have good voices, even at these ages."
Davis was taking a rare moment to relax after entertaining the youngsters. He said he is busy lining up choral groups for this year's 31st annual Christmas Challenge of the Carols in Emancipation Garden.
While dining on a kiddies' buffet — complete with chocolate-chip cookies and hot dogs — Niles said the foster-care program could use some holiday help. For $50, individuals can supply a meal for a family for the Christmas holiday.
"It buys a $50 gift certificate from Pueblo," she said. "The store cooks and prepares everything, so you don't have to do any preparation."
Donations may be dropped off at the old Knud Hansen complex. The program needs food, especially toiletries.
"Simple things like shampoo or toothpaste are always needed," Niles said.
Busy distributing red Christmas stockings full of goodies for the youngsters were Monique Sibilly-Hodge, assistant tourism commissioner, and Diana Brown, special-events coordinator and mistress of ceremonies. Most of the children were delighted, except one little boy.
"I don't want one," he told Sibilly-Hodge, an eventuality she clearly hadn't anticipated.
"Are you sure?" she said, but all she got was a serious nod of the head.
Taking a minute out of her duties, a very pregnant Brown said she is expecting in December.
"Maybe a Christmas baby," she said with a smile. "I'd love that."
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