Over 650 Gifts Donated to Children’s Christmas Appeal
A special Christmas appeal organized by the Butterfly Café in St. Helier has received more than 650 donated presents to support children and young adults in need, in care, or who are care leavers. The gifts, suitable for ages ranging from infants to 25-year-olds, were part of a campaign created by the café’s staff to ensure everyone has something to celebrate during the festive season.
The Butterfly Café is run by The Butterfly Effect, a nonprofit organisation in Jersey that provides support, training, and job opportunities for abuse survivors.
Cheyenne O’Connor, one of the founders of The Butterfly Effect, coordinated the appeal using an online wish list and in-person donations. Reflecting on the success, she said, “I absolutely love it. I think it’s about the community coming together at Christmas. We know what it’s like to wake up with nothing or not have the best Christmas, and that’s why we believe every child should have at least something to wake up to.”
The donated presents were wrapped and delivered on Thursday, ready to be distributed by the Children, Young People, and Families department.
Praise for the Initiative
Constable Richard Vibert, Jersey’s Children and Families Minister, commended the Butterfly Café’s efforts, calling it “an absolutely fantastic achievement.” He emphasized the impact of the donations, saying, “These presents will make a big difference over Christmas.”
Vibert also recognised the café’s ongoing contributions to the community, adding, “The workers here have done some fantastic work, and I can’t say enough about that.”
The initiative highlights the power of community spirit in bringing joy to those in need during the holiday season.