“This is where love lives,” reads a small sign at the reception area inside the Svetlo Day Care Center at 2225 Plainfield Pike in Johnston, which was also adorned with a variety of holiday decorations.
That slogan surfaced like never before on Monday, as for the sixth time in as many years, Svetlo’s members – who are mostly of Russian and Spanish origin – poured out their hearts and purchased gifts to make sure children from needy families in town have a merry Christmas.
It was around 12:15 p.m. when a group of Svetlo’s members entered the spacious meeting area singing “Feliz Navidad” and paraded around the room several times before song-leader and center CNA Sue Sears handed the microphone to Svetlo co-owner Jasmine Parsadangous.
“Christmas for us is about giving, not receiving,” Parsadangous – who owns and operates the facility with Oganess Gevorkian – told an applauding audience. “We are proud to again make Christmas merry for children from needy families in town.”
Thus, the co-owners presented Janet Whiteley, the administrative aide to Mayor Joseph Polisena, and Deputy Tax Collector Bethany Alviano with extra-large, colorful holiday bags that were overflowing with toys and beautiful children’s clothing.
“This act of generosity speaks volumes about all these wonderful people here today,” Whiteley told the Svetlo owners and their merry members. “On behalf of Mayor Polisena, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. For Bethany and I, this makes our Christmas extra special.”
Whiteley added: “These toys and clothing will go a long way, making Christmas merry for children from needy families who attend our public schools in Johnston.”
Whiteley later explained that the mayor’s office contacts nurses at certain schools in town “where help at this time of year is needed the most.”
“I can’t tell you how much I look forward to visiting these wonderful people who have again demonstrated an extraordinary act of giving that obviously comes from their hearts,” she said.
Gevorkian, along with Sears – who was still smiling and singing with some members – helped Whiteley and Bethany carry bag-after-bag of toys and clothing to their car and said: “Merry Christmas, we’ll see you back here next year!”
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