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Welcome to " Miracle on 31st. Street".
By Nancy Montoya, Executive Producer - International Media - (volunteer)
This is the 39th year of holding a special Christmas Eve party for children in some of Tucson's most disadvantaged neighborhoods. For many of the more than 5,000 to 6,000 children expected to show up this year, this party and the gifts we provide will be their only Christmas presents.
It all started 39 years ago when Ramon Gonzalez decided to hold a little Christmas get together for the children on his street. He lived on 31st Street back then. By his third year of hosting this party, Ramon started seeing new faces. Children from other nearby neighborhoods. They all had something in common, the look of joy in their faces when Ramon handed them a gift and something to eat and the sad reality that this might very well be their only gift this Christmas.
Ramon tells me, right there and then, he knew what his life's mission would be. He says he wanted to hold a party every year for kids on the South Side and he wanted them to feel the joy of Christmas and know that there are good people in our world who care about them. Since that first Christmas Ramon has been joined by his wife, Carmen and their children, as well as many volunteers.
And so through the years he has watch many of these neighborhood children grow up and have kids of their own. Many of them have returned to Ramon's house, not looking to received, but to give. They show up with a gift or two for Ramon to give to the other neighborhood kids. The Christmas Eve "Miracle on 31st Street" party has now been moved to the Tucson Rodeo Grounds.
But NEIGHBORS we are in trouble. We are expecting more than 5,000 children. We have Santa dropping in via Helicopter, we have the volunteers lined up and for the 25th year in a row, we have the ALBA family from the Silver Saddle showing up to provide food for the children. But....
We Need Toys & Cash Donations Nancy Montoya (520) 248.1050 We can send runners out to pick up toys or you can drop them off at a central location. To make a cash donation via credit card or through any Bank of America, just click on the "Make a Cash Donation Link". Checks can be sent to:
Miracle on 31st Street, 2019 W. Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85713
Ramon Gonzales (520) 339.0427
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays
