Needy children receive presents

Michele Peresso Limited yesterday put on its Santa Claus hat and donated 450 individually wrapped presents to children in Church institutes, preventive care and other homes.

The company, operators of Eurosport and importers of health care products, distributed the gifts of the Adidas and Kappa brands, worth Lm7,000, to 16 philanthropic organisations.

Company managing director Emmanuel Peresso also donated products worth Lm1,500 to Peppi Azzopardi to be handed out as gifts during the fund-raising marathon l-Istrina on December 28.

Mr Peresso also presented Malta Community Chest Fund chairman Violet de Marco with health care equipment for people with special needs.

A donation of four wheelchairs was also presented to the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Elderly.

Mr Peresso said this annual endeavour to donate individual gifts to children in homes was made possible with the collaboration of Fr Victor Zammit McKeon, coordinator of the children's homes.

Meanwhile, Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi praised Michele Peresso Limited, saying it was a commercial company which realised its social obligations.

Dr Gonzi also spoke of the important work carried out by Church and voluntary organisations.

"We have estimated that these organisations save the government Lm2 million a year with their hard work, dedication and services," he said.