“Remember, if Christmas isn’t found in your heart, you won’t find it under a tree.”
Charlotte Carpenter
The Spirit of Christmas
by David Triana
Each year, as Christmas approaches, my spirit gets refreshed and especially when I think about my friend Ramon Gonzales. The main reason for that it that of all the people in the world that I’ve ever met, Ramon exemplified who we know as Santa Claus and having the Spirit of Christmas more than anyone.
Last year, Santa Ramon succumbed to complications resulting from COVID and I am sure he is now enjoying heaven watching over his family and every needy little girl and boy out there that, if it was not for the Spirit of Christmas within many people throughout the world, would otherwise not have even a little toy for Christmas.
The season of giving, the season of serving, the season of hope. Christmas is described in many different ways around the world, but IMHO it primarily represents generosity. The Spirit of generosity is powerful, whether when giving a special gift to a loved one, and even more so, when we give it to others we don’t even know.
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 “El Milagro de Ramón on Calle 31” (or Christmas in the Neighborhood).
During the last few years, the party founded by Santa Ramón has been attended by more than 10,000 children each December and Santa Ramón and his little family have been the force that motivates that entire area of Arizona to UNITE to ensure that underprivileged children receive something at Christmas. Due to his tragic death last December, the Fiesta could not be held, which would have been the 50th! But thank God, his children, his wife and the true friends of Santa Ramon and their sponsors and donors, will make sure to continue his party this December and for that matter, continue the legacy that he left behind.
This is how I met Ramon, as my wife and I had the honor of volunteering at his party during our years at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson.
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 and which, Santa Ramon nickname “the daughter of his Fiesta.”
This coming December 18, a diverse and multicultural group of individuals will make sure the 18th annual is also a great success! It is organized by leaders from United for a Good Cause Inc. in order to serve boys and girls from financially challenged families.
For more details on the Fiesta, see this edition’s cover page or visit the organization’s website: unitedforagoodcause.org
The Christmas Miracle Fiesta was inspired by Ramón’s powerful example of generosity. There are thousands of children in our area who come from families with financial difficulties and even more sure after two years of pandemic. 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!
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!
