San Ysidro children receive toys for Christmas

Not even the rain could stop dozens of San Ysidro families who wanted to receive a toy for their children this Christmas.
    “It’s a great thing, because right now the economy is tough, so having a small toy for our children is of great help,” said Maria Ochoa, a mother and grandmother who took her three children and grandchild to the Toys for Tots giveaway organized by social services agency Casa Familiar with the support of the Marine Corps Reserve and the U.S. Border Patrol.
    The Ochoa family was one of more than 1,400 children who participated in the giveaway in San Ysidro on Monday, December 20. Outside the rain was pouring hard, but inside the human and spiritual warmth of Christmas created a very special environment.
    The event, which took place at the San Ysidro Civic Center, featured State Senator Juan Vargas as Santa Claus, as well as Christmas messages from San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and District 8 Councilmember David Alvarez.
   “With the current plight of the economy, it’s clear that we all really need to stick together, and help each other out when we can. We have a really tight-knit group of supporters and they always go above and beyond in helping others,” said Elizabeth Aguilar, event organizer.
   Andrea Skorepa, CEO of Casa Familiar believes that no child should be left without a toy from Santa on Christmas morning.
   “A gift from Santa Claus is one of the most magical moments a child will ever experience. Humbly, we will do everything in our power to make sure that we can provide toys for as many needy local San Ysidro children as possible. We will have toys for children of all ages and an assortment of board games…something for everyone.”
   Skorepa said that Casa Familiar has been handing out toys for more than 20 years every Christmas season to children from San Ysidro schools.
   She said that this year, San Ysidro families, many of whom work in low-paying jobs, have felt the harsh state of the economy than the rest of the county. She said that Casa Familiar’s food distribution program, which is based on need, used to serve 300 families. That number has multiplied to 1,500 this last year.
   For many of those children, the toy they received that morning could be the only one they will be receiving for Christmas.
   “This gift represents a hope for these families, a hope for these children,” she said. “Our community is very resourceful. I’m sure that spirit will lift them and make 2011 a better year for all of us.”
   During the toy give away, members of the U.S. Border Patrol changed roles and, instead of separating families, they were uniting a community as Santa’s helpers.
   Guillermina Hernandez, who has brought her grandchildren to the toy giveaway for years, said the children are always eager to taking a picture with Santa.
   “They enjoy it a lot,” she said. “They love the Christmas spirit that is felt here.”