Christmas comes early to St. Alban's Center

The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce attended a very special party at St Alban's Child Enrichment Center in Village West yesterday, to celebrate the very best part of their annual toy drive: seeing the delight of the little ones as they choose from an amazing array of Santa's Bounty, the result of the generosity of Chamber members, friends and supporters, along with toys from the District 2 Commission office toy drive.


Above, from left: Chamber Board members Dr. Franklin Sands, Andres Lemos, Peter Laird, Liliana Dones & Carol Lopez-Bethel.

After the party, the chamber members were given a tour by St Alban's Director Dr. Frankin Sands, and marveled at the many ways in which this is truly and "enrichment center" for little ones. For instance, in the classrooms for 3 and 4 year olds, they noticed a neat stack of journals. The children are encouraged each day to draw their thoughts, and the teachers then write down their description in their own words.


St. Alban's is a quality childcare program, serving a diversity of families that may otherwise not be able to afford daycare. The facilities strive to have a positive impact not only on the children, but also on the families and the surrounding community. It is estimated that St. Alban's has served approximately 15,000 children over its more than 58 years of existence.


Dr. Sabrina Tassy-Lewis helps a little one choose from Santa’s bounty.


St Albans Director Dr. Franklin Sands and wife, Katherine Sands, administrator at St Albans.

Story & Photos by Liliana Dones