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Despite the gloomy sky and dark clouds hovering over the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre last Thursday, there was Christmas cheer for more than 300 children with physical disabilities and special needs.

The children were feted at the seventh Christmas treat organised by the Sanmerna Foundation, the Inspire to Empower Foundation and the Jamaica Urban Transport Company (JUTC). The children joyfully danced and sang and got their faces painted, all of which brought them great joy. The children also met a 'Jamaican Santa Claus' who went around giving them hugs and gifts.

Kay-Ann Kirlew, mother of an autistic teen, told THE STAR that the treat meant a great deal to her because this year was extremely difficult for their family.

"Mi guh through whole heap a struggles wid har, but fi see har a smile and happy ... mi neva expect har fi get a gift because a the first me a attend," said Kirlew. Similarly, for Elaine Wint, whose son has an intellectual disability, she made sure to attend as she did not want him to feel left out. She also encouraged parents with special-needs or disabled children to allow them to experience and enjoy life.

"Don't be ashamed to walk with them, to talk with them, to carry them anywhere," Wint said. "Spend time with them, and try to know them like that. Ask them questions and observe them, and anywhere you can get the help, don't be ashamed of getting the help for them."

The event was started by Anita Atkinson Deans and Stephanie Josephs, co-founders of Inspire to Empower Foundation and employees of the JUTC.

Atkinson Deans told THE STAR that she was inspired to do the treat because she works with these special-needs children and recognises that they are sometimes either forgotten, or come from homes where a jolly Christmas doesn't exist.

"Some, they're coming from homes that they have never received something special, so this was just an opportunity for us to just show them a little love. Each year we look forward to doing it, too, because they're so happy," Atkinson Deans said.

For Josephs, the inspiration for the treat came from her observation of how some children are treated.

"I see them (persons) being mean to them. They tease them, stating that them ugly, them cah walk. They even tell them bad words," Josephs said. "It pains my heart to see how people treat them because they are special. So I wish persons would treat them just like regular kids, because if you get to know them, they are very loving and caring," she added.