Santa's visit to the merendero

"I get emotional to the point of tears, because for the first time, the kids are going to see Santa Claus." As simple, and as huge, as that. Santa — who in real life is named Walter and has an enormous, generous heart — put on the red suit and visited the merendero.

There were new sneakers for several kids, thanks to everyone who chipped in to buy them. But more than anything, there was something money can't buy: the look on a kid's face seeing the real Santa, up close, for the first time in their life.

Thank you to everyone who made this day possible. As was said that afternoon: we owe this to you, from the heart.