From an email:
“Lena puts the magic in Santa’s sleigh!
With 3 toy drop off (gas) stations, she makes sure there are gently loved regalos to go the whole way
By way of Ethiopia 20 years ago, she now makes sure other migrant children have a holiday bright
Toys drop offs and top offs and to all a good night!
Lena, a deep-hearted community leader, distributed food for us out of one of her five gas stations during the pandemic. Now she brings Santa to 3 of her stations to ensure migrant children have gently loved toys. This is not an abstract concept for her. She came here 20 years from Ethiopia as a Black muslim migrant and knows intimately what it is like to live with little. See it all here and find your way to 1 of her stations in the DMV or all 3!
MORE SANTA CON SABOR INFO HERE:
Help bring the joy of the holidays to our Latine neighbors! 3 months and change before Xmas padres start asking us for Christmas gifts for their children. We want children to have juguetes and reduce the waste of toy consumption and Santa con Sabor was born! Last year due to an extraordinary outpouring of holiday spirit we were able to donate 1,000’s of regalos to hundreds of families!
One year a donor offered to buy new toys 🙏for some families and most asked for diapers, winter coats and cleaning products. We realized then that until basic human needs are met, toys are a privilege and we now also ask for cleaning products, reclaimed clothes, home goods and more for all ages.
Your second hand, unwrapped will be joyfully given out Dec 16th by Santa Julio in VA OR picked up by our 22 Black and Brown community leaders for distribution to migrant families in their sleighs in MD and DC!
Please drop off the regalos by Dec 15th in order to give our elves time to deliver! MUCHAS GRACIAS!
BRING: Almost-new or new unwrapped gifts for all ages. Before donating, ask yourself would I want this?
DROP OFF SITES: here.
WHEN: Dec 1 to 15th
DONATE: so that children have something to eat and open on Xmas: https://www.foodjusticedmv.org/make-a-donation
VOLUNTEER: Dec 16th Santa Con Sabor takes place 1-3 pm in Falls Church VA. We need elves to put out the gifts 11-1 and help Santa from 1-3. We also need people to deliver food to families this holiday season. Please text Denise if available 202 415 9757.”