| The preparations for our Christmas gift-giving in Tecate came early this year. Having received pictures of the children at the Salvatierra Orphanage (girl's orphanage) in October, I began planning how to display them for Seaside members. I purchased a gold
sprayed twig Christmas tree and plenty of red, green and gold 3" ribbon. I made the biggest bow I could make for the top of the tree and let streamers in different lengths hang on all sides. I also made a huge bow for each picture and punched a single hole in order to hang them on the tree. I filled the rest of the tree with red bulbs. I carried it in to church and the timing was perfect. The display caught everyone's eye.
Along with the tree, I prepared a colorful flyer letting everyone know how they could participate. One way was to "adopt" an orphan for Christmas. Members were given the picture of the child along with a list of gifts they could purchase. The present was to be wrapped and labeled. Another way to participate was to donate unwrapped gifts or money to Santa's store at the Juan Escutia Elementary School in Cerro Azul. Lists
of gifts were provided for both the orphanage and the elementary school. Needless to say this effort was a huge success. In one Sunday all the children were "adopted" and I received several monetary donations. My phone at home was ringing off the hook. Up until midnight prior to the event, I had people dropping off gifts at my home. It was amazing. Everyone wanted to be part of the event!
A couple who was unable to "adopt" a child particularly moved
me. They put together a huge box of wrapped gifts and brought it to my home. Using the list I provided, they individually wrapped each gift in color cellophane and labeled (content and age) dozens of gifts. The outpouring of love by members of our Seaside Church was incredible. I never imagined I would receive so many things.
December 11th was the date of our trip. I arrived at the parking lot of Seaside at 7 a.m. Aside from the many gifts,
there was still the logistics of the trip. Who would be going? Who would be willing to drive? Who would have room for all the presents? Some met at the church; others joined us along the way. At each stop another car would join the caravan and gifts had to be reassembled. On one of the stops, we were joined by 4 members of Pacific Church of Religious Science, one of which was Santa Claus.
Again this year, the organizations taking part met at our usual
stop before crossing into Tecate. Here people gassed up, bought water, used restrooms and picked up a snack or two. It's a place where we reunite and greet those we see only at Christmas time. Of course, there are always introductions of new people who join us.
The day went smoothly. Particularly this year, everyone knew everyone else and the culmination of hard work prior to and during the event made for an easy day. Our first stop was the
Salvatierra Orphanage. The children knew we were coming and at Christmas they were particularly anxious. We arrived about 10:30 a.m. and the welcome was warm. The children were anxious to hold our hands and kiss us on the cheek. Everyone began unloading the gifts - not only were there gifts for the children but also a wall clock, soup spoons, bowls, hygiene items, etc. for the orphanage. Once we were gathered in the courtyard, Sister Socorro, the sister in charge,
announced the agenda.
As we moved the gifts from the courtyard into the study room, Sister Socorro pointed out the welcome signs and the many colorful ornaments hanging everywhere which were made by the children. We moved to the dining room where the children prepared a talent show. Each year it's a wonderful, heart-warming performance. You see how the girls have grown and how talented and less shy they are. Their singing songs, playing instruments and dancing makeup the talent show. Sister Socorro tells us about her new children who are performing.
Now it's time for the most important part our day - opening the presents. I tell the children how happy we are to share Christmas with them. I let the children know that some members of our church who donated gifts are with me and they may want to thank them after all gifts have been distributed. Santa, of course, is ready for his very special role. Lupe Avila enjoys his role and he is an excellent Santa. As his
helper, Sister Socorro calls out the names of the kids. Each child talks with Santa and has her picture taken with him. The room is filled with excitement and happiness as the children wait for everyone to get their presents. The gifts are generous … each child receiving clothes, dolls, games, etc. Several kids are curious and they approach me wondering if the person who gave them their gifts is in the room. In some
cases, gift-givers received a big "gracias" and a hug and kiss on the cheek. Those who don't find their gift-giver decide to design their own Christmas card and write their words of gratitude. I will carry these back to church members.
A gift given to me is a beautiful 5" x 7" Christmas card with a picture of all the children. (Photo attached) I am thrilled. I can't wait to share it with Seaside members.
The next event of the day is sharing the huge chocolate sheet cake beautifully decorated and donated by one of group. We pass out balloons and juice to each child. The children are still very excited by everything. Our morning is over and it is time to say goodbye. Each girl gives each of us a hug and kiss on the cheek before we leave. We say goodbye to those returning to San Diego. A few continue on to the Christmas party in Cerro Azul.
We arrive at Cerro Azul about 1 p.m. The breaking of the piñatas has already taken place and the children are having lunch. By grades, they line up to be served hot dogs, apples, cookies and juice. Again, this year the workers are invited to delicious homemade tamales made by some of the women in the community. Before I can think about food, however, my mind is on a pending agenda.
In summer, I discussed with some of parents of the children my
desire to fix a few of the roofs in the neighborhood. The money to pay for these repairs is coming from an on-going sale of used clothing in Tecate which I set up to cover the costs of projects such as these. The clothing donations have been generous. Proceeds from these clothes go to help both orphanages and the elementary school. In September, we were able to purchase about $400 worth of school supplies and
to date about $375 has been spent on roofing materials. There are plans to provide the orphanages with staples i.e., rice, beans, cereal, powdered milk, etc. on a monthly basis. On February 19th we plan to visit the Salvatierra Orphanage to repair bicycles and kitchen cabinets. The trips are open to all who want to join us.
On one of our previous trips we delivered $100 worth of tubing for the water supply being brought into the community. At the
same time, we surveyed and measured the roofs of homes of some of the children's families. Now it was time to tell them when we would do the actual work. Unfortunately the contractor who had volunteered to do the work had an urgent family problem and wasn't able to help us. I had to do the next best thing - that is, to supply them with materials and have them do their own construction. I was pleased that the father of one of the Pacific Church of Religious Science members
living in Tecate had volunteered to purchase many of the materials in Mexico. The needs of this community are many and while most of the families would like to have repairs done on their homes, we can only do so much.
With this in mind, I took the opportunity to introduce Mr. Solomon Sanchez to the families. He would purchase the materials but, they would be responsible for picking them up. The families were pleased and I was able to return to the
school Christmas party.
As the children ate, hundred of gifts were being assembled in Santa's store (total number of children for the afternoon session is 200+). Gifts were arranged by age separating the boys gifts from the girls. There were dolls, roller skates, art sets, Walkmen with earphones, toy cars of all kinds, skate boards, basket balls, soccer balls, jackets, sweat shirts and pants, vests, shoes, etc. etc. The larger gifts i.e., bicycles, small CD
players, etc. were auctioned off at the end of the day.
Making sure that everyone had eaten, Santa Claus made the rounds of the classrooms giving out candy to all the children. The children were very excited. FINALLY, it was the hour they have all been waiting for.
By grade each class was led to Santa's store where children were instructed on his/her choices of gifts. Each child chose one large gift and one small gift. The larger gifts were on one
side of the room, the smaller gifts were on the other. The children were very well behaved. For some it was very hard choosing their gift and this took a long time. It was great to see their expressions as they walked through the room. There was always plenty of suggestions on what choices to make. Without taking too much time, they told us their age and a little bit about themselves. Everyone had a fun time.
As the afternoon progressed, we were left with fewer gifts. It was time to auction the larger gifts. Tickets with numbers were distributed and all the children gathered around the outdoor stage. Again, it is great fun for the organizers to play masters of ceremony. Each one of us wanted to participate.
With the sun setting and the weather getting colder, it came time to say goodbye. Smiles are visible everywhere. The
children are pleased. The organizers happy with the huge success of another year. We agreed to meet at the Tecate Country Club where we had the place all to ourselves. We had stories to share and all agreed that each year it gets easier and easier.
My own personal note is the following:
I celebrate my participation in such a wonderful project and the many gifts it brings into my life. I know that it is the
healing grace of God as my life. I am grateful for living in infinite grace, in the power of who I am. I am power, light, peace and love. In that power, light, peace and love, I draw others to me. I heal and I am healed. And so it is … Josie Castañeda Top of Page |
