Carol Clarke will be hosting her last festive giveaway for Bermuda’s seniors before her family members take over the event and carry the tradition forward.

For 25 years, Ms Clarke has organised the major annual drive, which provides free meals and gifts to 500-plus senior citizens, with the support of donations from the community.

Her granddaughter Naché Anderson-Clarke, who is 12, will take the reins with the help of her family members Tamae Clarke and Aquil Clarke.

In recent years, Ms Clarke has run the event in conjunction with Bermuda Overseas Missions, which will continue its involvement going forward.

She said: “My service to the most important commodity in this community has spanned 25 years from 1998 until now. We have come a long way through love, faith, prayer, praise and worship.”

Ms Clarke first became involved in the parties in 1998, when they were hosted at Admiralty House in Pembroke with the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton. She was the first Black woman to be president of the organisation.

She left the Kiwanis Club in 2012 but continued to organise the parties.

In 2015, Ms Clarke joined forces with Bermuda Overseas Missions and has been hosting the events at her residence on North Shore Road, Pembroke, where this year’s giveaway will take place on December 2.

Ms Clarke added: “The event has gone from tea at Admiralty House to full-course dining at the Salvation Army and St Paul AME Church. There is always entertainment and plenty of great giveaways, a raffle and a drive-through with vouchers for all.

“I will join the ranks of seniors in a few weeks’ time, and you will be pleased to know that the legacy counts, and Naché Anderson-Clarke, Tamae Clarke and Aquil Clarke will next year jointly carry the mantle and baton.”

Ms Clarke, who will turn 65 next month, received the Queen’s Certificate and Badges of Honour Award in 2011 for "giving selfless service to the community and to seniors in particular, over many years“.

Her granddaughter said: “I know it means a lot to her.

“I realised since I was young that she would do whatever she could to help, even if it was giving someone her last $20. She said blessings always find a way to come back.

“I’ve been helping out since I was three years old. I love to dance every year. I have dressed up as an elf and greeted the guests at the door.”

While Ms Clarke hopes to enjoy a little rest, she said she will be happy to teach her granddaughter the ropes.

She said: “It’s about giving back to the community what has been given to me. I will miss it, but I have made many friends along the way, and we will remain friends for many years to come. There is still plenty of need in the community. I hope one day there will be none.”