If you feel the spirit of giving bubbling in your heart, why not help brighten the holidays for hundreds of local underprivileged kids by chipping in to Chapala’s eighth annual Juguetón toys for tots campaign?
The gift collection marathon organized by San Francisco parish curate Enrique Monteon Curiel and the church’s Salesian lay mission group (Grumis), will run around the clock from Saturday, December 13 through Sunday, December 14 at the staging area set up near the Fishermen’s Fountain at the waterfront Malecón.
Organizers are aiming to break last year’s record of gathering 2,631 new and gently used gift items that will be distributed to needy families.
To attract donors, the Juguetón wraps in a huge entertainment program with different acts lined up for appeal to a broad audience.
Following the inauguration set for 5 p.m., Saturday’s bill includes performances by the Desperanto Dance Academy, 5:30 p.m, and Los Astros de Chapala guitarists, 7:40 p.m., closing with the Battle of the Bandas, from 8 p.m.
Sunday’s program opens with a free style Zumba demonstration at 8 a.m., continuing with clown show, 10 a.m., rap acts, Noon, Ballet Folklorico Ixtlahuacan de los Membrillos, 2 p.m., the Allegro ballet school, 3 p.m., Orquesta Tipica de Ixtlahuacan, 4 p.m., Desperanto’s holiday dance show, 5:30 p.m., music by Sonora Primavera, 7 p.m., and a grand finale fireworks display, 10 p.m.
Each year Grumis volunteers conduct a socio-economic census in low income neighborhoods to identify moms and dads who face hardships in purchasing presents for their offspring. Those who qualify for the benefit are issued coupons that they exchange for bags of gifts handed out at the church on December 23 and 24. That way, according to Mexican custom, each youngster enjoys the special delight of celebrating with a Christmas gift from El Niño Dios (Baby Jesus).