Tuesday, January 6, 2026, marked the 11th consecutive year that “Operation Apple” brought gifts and goodwill to children in Chapala on Three Kings Day.
This year’s event held special significance, as for the first time, it included participants from all three branches of local first responders.
The annual initiative, which draws inspiration from the biblical Magi’s gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, traditionally involves local police distributing apples to children. Last year, the Chapala Fire Department joined the effort. This year, the event expanded further to include ambulance attendees from the Chapala Red Cross, uniting the community’s full emergency response network.
In a modern parallel to the ancient story, the first responders themselves represent vital gifts to the community: the Red Cross brings medical expertise and emergency transport, the local police uphold safety and public order, and the Fire Department responds to fires and rescues.
The local Canadian veterans organization, ANAVETS, was credited for financing the purchase of the apples for the third consecutive year.
A reminder that Mexico’s universal emergency number is 911, matching those of Canada and the U.S.