Photo Focus: Christmas Holiday Fun Day at Walter IM Hodge Pavilion

The Grinch was available for pictures, but Santa Claus was definitely more popular with the children at the Christmas Holiday Fun Day on Dec. 24, at the Walter IM Hodge Pavilion. Source photo by Shanell Spencer)

Laughter rang through the Walter I.M. Hodge Pavilion as music filled the air and brightly wrapped gifts passed to tiny hands during this year’s Christmas Holiday Fun Day in Frederiksted. Hosted in partnership with the One Love, One Heart: Hearts for Humanity Foundation, the event was a celebration of joy and generosity.

From left, Indera Edwards, Founder of the One Love, One Heart: Hearts for Humanity Foundation, and Jae’quan Greaux and Shevana Jones, representatives of the Virgin Islands AME Conference Youth People Department, donated gifts for the children at the Christmas Holiday Fun Day on Dec. 24. (Photo courtesy Tyanne Davis)

The foundation was established by Indera Edwards in loving memory of her son, Michael Edwards, Jr., whose life was tragically cut short by gun violence.

Held on Wednesday, Dec. 24, the event welcomed and served 150 children, many from the very community where Edwards, Jr., spent part of his childhood. For one meaningful day, the space was transformed into a reminder of what is possible when love leads—proof that even in remembrance, hope can be shared.

One of Santa’s Helpers, Simolia Jarvis, Walter IM Hodge Pavilion resident care and resiliency coordinator, smiles front and center at the Christmas Holiday Fun Day held earlier today. (Source photo by Shanell Spencer)
Farmer Brown holding the mixed jackrabbit and bunny from Farm Education for All at the Christmas Holiday Fun at the Walter IM Hodge Pavilion on Wednesday, Dec. 24. (Source photo by Shanell Spencer)

The event was made possible by the generous donations and sponsorships provided by Armstrong Ice Cream, Christa’s Art Gallery, Kia’s Snack Shack, Caterer Camisha Lynch, Keyonna Edwards, Keira Edwards, Clarence Prentice, Raymond Brady, Look Jam, DJ Pollo, Orlando Felix, Jaynecia Joseph, Julian’s Trucking, Carlos Furniture, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, A&C Code Electric, Tricia Thomas, the Rivera Family, the Thomas Family, Mikaela Mason, Joseph Schoonmaker, Leonna DeGazon, Donteh Cornell, Analisa Jensen, Belinda and Bonney George, Brian Gardine, Sherrianne Richards, Maliyah and Malisha Solis, the Salim Family, Denisia Vanterpool, Joanne Patterson, Genesis Sanes, Jeanique Roberts, the Harris Family, Jeanette Livingston, Tiffani Liddie, the Green Family, the Carrington Family, as well as the support and care of the entire Walter IM Hodge Pavilion Staff.