Santa, Cookies and Gifts, Oh My! Farmworker families living at the San Jose Mission gathered at the mission’s community center for their Annual Christmas Party and Ribbon Cutting Reveal of a new computer lab on December 18, 2021. Children eagerly lined up for presents, pictures with Santa, goodies and to see their new computer lab.
Christmas is the Season of Giving. Children from Nativity Catholic School, St. Stephen Catholic Church, Newsome High School, Academy of Holy Names, Brandon Church of the Nazarenes and community members embraced that spirit to donate Christmas presents and food to the children of San Jose Mission. Kim Davis, Faith Formation St. Stephen Catholic Church, said, “We’re bringing kits [gift boxes] and love of Christ to the kids at the San Jose Mission.” Their generosity of their time, talent and treasure made the Annual Christmas Party extra special. According to Maggie Rogers, Catholic Charities Executive Director, “What a blessing for the children. Without community support like this, we would not be as successful in serving our clients.”
Pictures with Santa, Christmas presents and goodies were not the only things to be given this day! Thanks to EduGnie, Regions Bank, eSmart Recycling, Rooms To Go, Latino Coalition of Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Education Foundation, the San Jose Mission has a brand new 20-station computer lab and financial resilience curriculum! The computer lab was blessed by Fr. Martos, pastor of St. Clement Catholic Church and San Juan Diego Mission. Victor Avila, Regions Bank Vice President, Community Development Manager shares the importance of this for him and his team, “We are delighted to be a part of this program that encourages communication, increased collaboration and will create real, tangible benefits for our community.”
To conclude the Christmas party, children gathered around to see who won the raffle. Two lucky winners had the chance to win a huge stuffed unicorn or a Region Bank’s bicycle. This bicycle was donated by the sponsors of the computer lab. What a wonderful day of receiving and giving at the San Jose Mission!
San Jose Mission is an affordable housing program that also assists farm worker families with food, clothing and free medical visits and more. Please learn more and donate by visiting www.ccdosp.org.
