Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Sharie De Castro spreads cheer to 175 kids on Christmas Eve

Christmas is a season known for giving and spreading cheer. So on the eve of Christmas this year, Territorial At-Large Representative, Sharie De Castro gifted 175 children with the opportunity to enjoy an all-expenses-paid day at the Winter Wonderland in the Cyril B Romney Tortola Pier Park.

“I wanted the children to get something fun for Christmas but more of an experience — a memory that they could take forward. I know that oftentimes a tangible present is good but sometimes something like this, just being able to go on ice in the middle of the Caribbean, I believe it is an experience that they will cherish. And so far, we’ve heard that,” De Castro said during an interview with BVI News.

She said that is what led her to book the Winter Wonderland for five hours on December 24.

But that’s not all the young legislator did to make the experience unforgettable for the children.

“We also ensured that we got John Black to come and take some portrait photos. We have some customised frames just for them to remember the moment,” she stated.

Entire experience financially covered


De Castro, who is also the Junior Minister for Tourism, said the initiative also ensured children had free access not only to the ice-skating rink but also to the many other activities in the vicinity.

“I just wanted to cover the entire experience — the ice skating is good. But keeping with the winter theme, we thought Snowie would be a good touch so they can get a snowcone and then, like I said, just a portrait to remind them. Santa Claus is here as well. We actually had the Grinch passed through a bit earlier, so they got really excited,” she explained.

Initiative fully booked within two days


The junior minister also said there was an overwhelming response to the initiative, which saw all 175 spots being filled within just two days of the initial announcement.

She said: “So we put out a flier, I believe it was Sunday and I believe in a day and a half it was already completely booked. People saw it and they signed up one time, so the excitement was there and they showed up.”

The opening hours for the ice-skating rink are from 2 pm to 7 pm on weekdays and from 2 pm to 10 pm on weekends.

The rink — which was set up by the Virgin Islands Search And Rescue as a fundraiser — will be operating until Wednesday, January 6.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×