PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS & VIDEO - More than 600 children in some of Bitou’s impoverished communities experienced the joy of Christmas on December 3, when they each received a gift and several other goodies thanks to a successful local charity drive.

Most children were ecstatic when they ripped off the gift wrap and opened their presents during the culmination of the Blessing in a Box initiative – a project by Bitou Family Care and CrossFit Plett.

Some children could not contain their excitement and jumped up and down until exhaustion set in after opening their boxes which included a toy, a children’s bible as well as other sponsored goodies from stationary to food and treats.

Bitou Family Care general coordinator Stephan Wentz said that for many of these children, the gift they received would be the only one they would get this year.

The gifts were distributed in Kurland Village and Bossiesgif to about 600 youngsters.

The gift opening was also preceded by fun activities for the children.