“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder
By David Triana
Christmas time is here! There are people who “no longer believe” in Santa Claus, but I do believe in him, for I have met him! His name is Ramón González and he lives in South Tucson, Arizona!
In 1970, seeing that the parents of the children where he lived did not have money to buy gifts at Christmas, it occurred to Ramon that he could do something for the children to receive something that Christmas.
Ramon didn’t have a lot of money either, but with what he had, he bought hot dogs and other things and organized a Christmas party and invited all the families in his neighborhood. In addition to the food, he made sure to buy some toys for each child. It was that way, that Santa Ramon, founded what is now known as “Ramon’s Miracle on 31st Street” (or Christmas in the Barrio).
For many years, the “party” that Santa Ramon founded, has served more than 10.000 children every December and Santa Ramon and his family, are the ones that motivate that entire area of Arizona to UNITE to ensure that low-income children receive something at Christmas.
My wife and I had the honor of volunteering at Ramon’s party for several years while we were at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson.
In 2005, along with several kind-hearted people, we founded in Fort Walton Beach, a party inspired by Ramon’s “miracle” in Tucson. This party is called “The Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle” and this coming December 15th, the 15th edition of it will take place. See the announcement on the main page of this edition for more details and help us get word out to low-income families in our area.
The purpose of the party is to give everyone who goes, especially children, the opportunity to just have a good time and so that low-income families can enjoy a merry Christmas!
There are thousands of children in need in our area, countless families who simply do not have the means to give their children gifts during Christmas. Our organization, through the party, gives us, and gives you, the chance to be SANTA CLAUS!
We invite you to be part of this great work, join UNITED for a GOOD CAUSE INC., even if it’s just for that day of the party. You can volunteer or donate a toy or funds.
Santa Claus DOES EXIST, Santa is “in You” and all those people who from the heart, care about their neighbor, the people who during this Christmas time DECIDE to do something for others and especially for children and low-income families. Families who, without you, SANTA XXX, would not have the opportunities that many of us have.
Go to Facebook or the website to see videos, photos and more information about previous years parties and other major projects that the organization leads: www.unitedforagoodcause.org
God bless you and have a very happy, happy, very Merry Christmas!
