The kids answer the door for Santa
Santa sings and entertains
Jack and Joey visit Santa
Luke and Owen sit with Santa
Luke and Mia place their requests: A rocketship and a princess castle
Santa spends some time with the ladies
Baby Joey getting lots of snuggles
After the party, this is what transpired (an email from me to all of our amazing friends who donated):
Dear Family and Friends,
Happy New Year to each of you! I apologize that it has taken me this long to reach out to you to thank you all for joining us in celebrating the Christmas season, and also for helping us bring Christmas to a very special family. I can't thank you all enough - you gave US a tremendous gift. We felt so incredibly blessed to be able to spend the Sunday before Christmas with the Hernandez family, showering them with the gifts that you provided. So, thank you. It was a really incredible experience for us to be there and see their faces as they received the gifts that we brought.
With your help, the three youngest children (8 months, 5 years, and 6 years) each opened two toys, two outfits, and a pair of shoes! There has never been a 5 year old more excited to open a pair of shoes - her joy was tangible. She put them on right away, and although they were a bit large, she insisted that they fit perfectly and that she was never taking them off. True to her word, several hours later as she was napping, those shoes remained on!
The 11 year old boy also received two toys (sports equipment) and a number of gift cards to buy himself some clothes and shoes. He was elated to see a gift card to Kohl's, as it is a store that he often wants to shop at, but is a luxury for his family.
The three adults each received enough gift cards to Target, Kohl's, Sears, and Marshalls to buy themselves new clothes and shoes. They were also gifted with several grocery store cards.
We spent a couple of hours over lunch time with their sweet family. We brought sandwiches, chips and drinks with us - the kids were so excited to have chocolate milk from a box that we left any extras with them and my dad later returned to their home and left a Costco case of chocolate milk boxes on their doorstep! :) You honestly could not find a nicer, more grateful family. Jovani, the father, is currently working full time while finishing up his general ed requirements and will soon transfer to SJSU. Miriam also works full time and is planning to return to school as soon as her husband has finished. Destinee & Stephanie (5 & 6 year olds) are in Kindergarten and 1st grade at Rocketship Academy. Antonio (11 years old) is a 6th grader and is being mentored by Enrique from East Side Heroes (the non-profit that directed us to their family) with the hope that he will be able to attend Bellarmine as a high school student.
Here's a bit from Miriam after we left:
Thank you all so much. We have never had such a nice, generous Christmas. It is wonderful to know that people enjoy giving back, and we will definitely be paying it forward once we get settled.
....and a picture is attached.
Thank you all for your friendship and generosity. Together we were able to bring tremendous Christmas joy to a family.
Happy 2013,
Julie
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