BELIZE CITY, Wed. Jan. 6, 2016–The New Year brought special blessings to the mothers and babies who were the first to be born in 2016.

It is customary that Santiago Castillo Limited (San Cas) gives a gift package to the mother of the first new born for the year, and this year, they continued with that tradition.

Aisha Trapp-Rudon, San Cas brand manager, told Amandala that for the second year in a row they have extended their generosity to the districts and all newborns from each district get the same package, which includes items such as Huggies wipes and diapers, Seven Seas multivitamins for mother and baby, Kotex pads and ginger tea.

The first newborn in Belize for 2016 was Nathan David Casanova, born at 1:23 a.m. with 6 pounds and 4 ounces to Jonathan and Carla Casanova. He was born at a private hospital, Correa Clinin, in Orange Walk Town.

First newborns at the district level were also presented with gifts.

Aiden Alexander Rhys, born with a hefty 8 pounds 14 ounces, is the first baby born in the Belize District for 2016. Aiden was born to Bridget Rhys at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City and he is her second child, Trapp-Rudon said.

Malik Mendez was born with a birth-weight of seven pounds at the Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan to Tiffara Martinez, the fourth child born to the resident of Teakettle, Cayo; while Chelsey Tejada was born at Northern Regional Hospital in Orange Walk Town to Katie Ramirez.

According to Trapp-Rudon, San-Cas will be celebrating its 90th anniversary, and they continue with initiatives such as these to give back to the community which has supported them over the years.