By Danita Brisson
You may know January 6th as the Twelfth Day of Christmas, Feast of the Epiphany, Three Kings Day or Theophany. In Western traditions, it celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Magi. For the Eastern and Orthodox religions, it marks the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. In San Miguel, it’s called The Holy Kings Day, an homage to the arrival of the Three Wise Men bearing gifts for baby Jesus. Local tradition says before children go to bed on January 5, they place their old shoes out with a wish list for the Three Kings. In the morning, they find their shoes filled with toys and gifts. In reality, many children living under extreme poverty in the campo receive little or nothing to mark the day.
Fifteen years ago, Canadian expats John and Sharon Doherty addressed that situation by founding the Three Kings Day Toy Drive. Initially they collected, wrapped and delivered donated toys to kids in outlying schools. The charity was never registered and so doesn’t issue tax receipts, but that hasn’t deterred donors and volunteers, who simply want to bring joy to children in our community. After seven years, the demands of running EESMA School for the Deaf left the Dohertys little time for the toy drive so they recruited Les Pearson to take over.
His primary challenges then were the inequity in the value of donated gifts and the cost, effort and litter of discarded wrapping paper. “The kids didn’t complain about the disparity, but it didn’t seem fair,” he explains. He formed a plan that ensured children in each age group all received the same gifts and none would be wrapped. Kindergarten and primary students receive festive bags of tiny treasures created by one of the merchants at the Tuesday Market. That lady also packs zippered purses with note pads and colorful trinkets for the girls in middle school. As a former soccer player, Les knew the boys would appreciate soccer balls. The option of offering balls rather than purses to sports-minded girls has been considered, but not implemented.
Les runs the program alone, and after seven years, he has it down to a science. In October, he begins soliciting donations, orders soccer balls and gift bags through his trusted suppliers and recruits volunteers. It takes five fellows three hours to inflate 500 balls, which they do the day before they are distributed. A further 30 to 35 volunteers – seven with vehicles – are needed to transport gifts to the schools. As suppliers deliver the items to Les, he sorts and bundles them according to the number and ages of students at each of the seven schools they will visit. The day of delivery - January 3 this year - volunteers load each vehicle with the presents for one school, then caravan together into the campo.
At the schools the principal, teachers and a bilingual volunteer line the children up outside. They sing to welcome three visitors wearing regal costumes who then enter the school yard and are seated to receive the children. The Kings, or Queens give each child the appropriate present and receive a hug. “The kids don’t push, or fight, or scream. They’re so behaved. And volunteers say it’s the best day of their lives,” remarks Les. For them as for him, those hugs are more than generous compensation.
Les estimates they were reaching almost 1000 children his first year. “We knew we were just scratching the surface. I felt uncomfortable seeing younger siblings and kids not registered (in school) standing outside the school yard, watching. The next year, I made sure we had an extra 250 little gift bags, so that every child received something. One volunteer brought a large bag of dog food, so even the dogs got a treat,” he adds.
In 2024 they provided gifts for 1100 kids. The target for 2025 is 1200. “This is our fourth year with these schools and I wonder if we should be reaching others instead,” he muses. The current fundraising goal is $100,000mxn, every peso of which is spent on the kids. Soccer balls now cost 50% more than a few years ago, but through prudent shopping and respectful negotiations, Les always manages to balance the budget. “There are so many kids in appalling conditions. They get nothing. If we could raise more, we’d be able to add more schools. Then we could deliver over two days,” he offers. I sense another plan forming.
Bringing joy to disadvantaged children in our community is Les’ reason for the season. If it’s yours too, do yourself a favor and volunteer. Donations are also gratefully accepted through PayPal at mexicokid77@yahoo.com.
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