Hannah Janoura can only be described as a woman with a big heart.
For the past 27 years, Janoura, 77, has been hosting fundraising events offering beautifully designed Christmas decorations which she makes with her very hands in her spare time.
The money from the proceeds goes towards the purchase of wheelchairs for physically-challenged children at the Princess Elizabeth Centre in Woodbrook.
Janoura also does charitable work for the Cancer Society and other non-governmental organisations.
She started designing Christmas decorations in 1988 following a fire at Janouras on Henry Street.
“I had nothing to do. I saw in Miami they were doing dolls with mops and decided to give it a try,” Janoura recalled.
On her first attempt, Janoura made 100 doll mops.
Unable to sell them at their new location on Sackville Street, Janoura hosted a fundraiser at the ballroom of the Hilton Trinidad.
The response from the public was tremendous.
From there, it has been no stopping her.
“I just did something last year. I say I am going to have a fundraiser at MovieTowne to bring down 100 wheelchairs,” said Janoura.
Last year she made faces made of styrofoam balls which she decorated.
The event far exceeded Janoura’s expectations and she was able to buy 200 wheelchairs which were distributed on Independence Day and for Christmas to people in need.
This year, Janoura has already made 66 Christmas toy decorations using local and imported stuffed elves and Santa Claus dolls.
From September she began working on the pieces.
“That 66 has already been sold to one person who gives them out as gifts for Christmas,” she said, pointing to the decorations, which were on display on a table at her establishment.
“I am going to make more which I will sell in the store. I want to make more than 100 this year.”
Janoura craftily wrapped the legs or arms of each elf around a glass jar filled with either chocolates or salt and sweet prunes.
The prices of the decorations range from $150 to over $1,000.
As one of the directors of Janouras, there is no stopping this businesswoman who has demonstrated unwavering compassion for the less fortunate in the season of merriment and cheer.