The choir sang beautifully, as
they always do.
It was in 1974 that Father Ray Brennan opened the doors of
the Pattaya Orphanage to offer a loving home to unwanted and abandoned babies
and young children. Being a catholic priest, and coming from a devout Irish
American catholic family, Christmas for him was one of the most important times
of the year and he always made sure his children knew the meaning of Christmas
and enjoyed all the fun and excitement that comes with it.
Bill
Coulson did a great job as auctioneer.
Almost forty years later and the children at the Pattaya Orphanage still
celebrate Christmas and each year the celebrations get bigger and bigger.
This year several hundred guests arrived for the annual party, from sponsors of
the children, long time friends, new friends and celebrities, including well
known German football manager Reiner Calmund and legendary classical guitarist
Hucky Eichelmann.
But being Christmas, it was all about the children. Father Michael Weera,
Director of the Pattaya Orphanage, officially opened the celebrations by
welcoming the guests before the children’s choir sang a selection of carols,
accompanied by Santa Claus, who received a huge cheer when he climbed onto the
stage.
Once the choir had finished, every child who currently lives at the Orphanage
was called to the stage and received several beautifully wrapped Christmas
presents, and there were plenty of soft toys to go around.
Khun
Toy, without whom the party would not be so successful.
Many former residents of the Orphanage visited, some bringing their own children
with them, and others travelling for many hours to spend Christmas at their
former home. They are not forgotten as they too received a Christmas gift.
Food tables were set up and for many youngsters they did not know what to eat
next as there was just so much food to choose from.
An auction took place to raise funds for the Children’s Education Fund and
almost half a million baht was raised. Lots on offer included art work, vouchers
for local hotels and restaurants and two second hand cars. Auctioneer Bill
Coulson did an excellent job persuading people to part with their money.
Christmas comes just once a year, but it is always a day the children to look
forward to and a day they remember for the following twelve months.
More information can be found at www.thepattaya orphanage.org or email
[email protected]
Father Michael presented gifts to
all the children.
“Do I hear a better bid from number 27 in the
back?” Bill Coulson is an expert auctioneer.
Doc Penguin amazed everyone with
his magic tricks.
Young performers take to the
stage.
Everyone loves a soft toy.
Dancers from the Dance Studio
perform a magical Christmas ballet.
Checking out each other’s
presents.
Look what I’ve got!
Santa was in fine voice as he
joined the choir.
Local ballerinas entertained the
audience.
(Above) Poppy Mulford and her
dad, Nathaniel Mulford, both of whom this past Fall completed a charity bicycle
ride from Ayutthaya to Angkor Wat, donate funds they raised to Yok, a pupil at
the Sotpattana School for the Deaf, to help the young Thai girl have the
operation she needs to restore her hearing.
