By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN her usual way of giving back, tennis player Sydney Clarke returned to the Bahamas Children’s Hostel for the third consecutive year to provide some much-needed supplies of groceries, toiletries and toys to the 30 residents of the home from nine months to 18 years of age.

The Christmas gifts were presented on Friday and were received by Charlene Gibson, the business and operations manager, who indicated that they are very appreciative of what she continues to do for the hostel. “She makes a constant effort to call me every time she’s back in town and asks me what the kids need and she puts something together and comes and makes the donation,” Clarke said.

This has been an annual thing for the past three years. “For the most part, we are very appreciative of whatever we get,” Gibson said. “It’s a donation, so we don’t have to find the funds to go and purchase it. So no matter how big or small the donation is, we appreciate it.”

Back home on the Christmas break from her final year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Clarke said if there’s one thing on her things to do list, it was making her appearance at the hostel.

“It was another success. I received a lot of donations. A lot of people chipped in despite it being a short notice,” Clarke said. “It was a great response this year.”

For the third time, Clarke said she looks forward to doing it. “It’s always an exciting time for me and I enjoy doing it,” said Clarke, who was accompanied by her younger sister Sarai. “Whatever I can do for the kids with the toys, food, cleaning supplies and toiletries, whatever I can do, I will do. I enjoy it.”

Although her main focus was on competing in the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s annual Giorgio Baldacci Tournament at the National Tennis Centre where she lost out in the final to Simone Pratt, Clarke said she was just delighted to fulfil her commitment to the hostel.

“A lot of people have helped me with my tennis career and life in general, so it’s my duty as a citizen to give back,” Clarke said. “It’s always a great feeling to give back, especially to the community.

“Just seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids brings me a lot of joy. In this holiday season, I have a lot to be grateful for. I have my parents and those kids, unfortunately, don’t. So with my platform in tennis, this is my way of helping them in any way I possibly can.”

While the Bahamas Children’s Hostel will continue to be her focal point, Clarke said with further assistance in the future, she will like to extend the Christmas cheer to the other foster homes.

But she indicated that she was really appreciative of Bahamas Waste for their huge donation, along with her family and friends for their continued support.

For persons who wish to make their contribution to the home, Gibson indicated that they can reach her at admin@bch242.org or call 807-6155 or 677-0217.

“We are grateful for what she is doing and we are encouraging others to follow suit,” Gibson said. “She is doing a very good deed.”