The Season of SERVICE, GIVING, and UNITY!

The Season of SERVICE, GIVING, and UNITY!

By David Triana

“Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people,”

Roy T. Bennett

During this time of the year, my spirit is always refreshed and especially when I think about my friend Ramon Gonzales. Of all the people I have met in my lifetime, Ramon exemplified GENEROSITY throughout the year, and during the Christmas season especially, he indeed became Santa Claus! 

Three years ago, Santa Ramon succumbed to complications from COVID, but I have no doubt in my mind that he is in heaven watching over his family.  Ramon is also watching over every needy little girl and boy that, if it was not for the generous people throughout the world, would otherwise not have even a little toy for Christmas.

Christmas is described in many different ways, but for me it represents those three words in the title of this article. They are three powerful words, and by participating in activities where one serves, gives, and promotes unity, usually the other people participating are motivated to do the same more and more!

Ramón Gonzales lived in South Tucson, Arizona. In 1970, when the parents of the children where he lived did not have money to buy gifts at Christmas, it occurred to Ramón that he could do something about it.

Ramón didn’t have much 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 food, he made sure to buy some toys for each child. This is how Santa Ramon founded what is now known as “Ramon’s Miracle on 31^st Street” also known as Christmas in the Barrio.

For many years now, Ramon’s party is attended by more than 10,000 children every December and Santa Ramón and his small family have been the force that motivates that area of Arizona to UNITE to ensure that children of scarce resources receive something at Christmas. Although Ramon is no longer physically with them, his children, his wife and the true friends of Santa Ramon and his sponsors and donors, have made sure to continue his party and thus continue the legacy he left behind.

In 2005, together with several kind hearted Hispanics and non-Hispanics, we founded what we originally called “LUCES NAVIDENAS” and that became the Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle Fiesta here in Fort Walton Beach.  I still remember when Ramon told me, the FWB Fiesta is “the daughter of his Tucson one.”

On December 22nd, United for a Good Cause Inc., a diverse and multicultural group of people, will celebrate the 20TH ANNIVERSARY of the Annual Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle Party. It will be at the NWF Fairgrounds from 12pm to 6pm. We invite you to visit our website for more details about the Party and encourage families experiencing financial hardship this Christmas to register through the website.

Our Christmas Miracle Party was inspired by Ramon’s powerful example of service, giving, and unity. There are thousands of children in our area who could use the help from people with generous hearts, 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 opportunity to make sure that the Spirit of Christmas is alive, an opportunity for you to be SANTA CLAUS too!

Your generous heart in supporting events like the Christmas Miracle or others taking place in our region will not only ensure that needy children get a chance to have a Christmas this year, but being generous is also a good thing for your health!

We invite you to be part of this great event and join us as a volunteer or by donating a toy or making a monetary contribution for it. Go to Facebook or the foundation’s website for more information.

www.unitedforagoodcause.org

God bless you and have a very Merry Christmas!