Dia de Reyes Toy Drive

If you follow the link that Fernando posted and skip to page 4, you can read the great report about the event from Tripledigitken and from FDT (get out the kleenex)----also, there are some great picture.

If the first picture that is posted of the little girl is a real grabber. However, I remember more pictures of the happy children that were also wonderful. Are they in a different thread?

And I remember a special photo of a budding romance that started at that event between Fernando's daughter and Doug's son---is it still somewhere? Maybe they have new romances these days and don't want that photo to be shown.

Good luck for this years drive.

Diane

[Edited on 12-4-2007 by jdtrotter]

Dia de Reyes pictures 2007

Yes, Yes, Yes---those are the great pictures I remember! Thank you, Thank you---they are so worth sharing again.

Now, where is that one of Doug's son and Fernando's daughter.

Heres one from the book signing last year. Ill have to look for the others.... I'll Post them in a bit




Well I think, Doug, your going to have to produce the pics from the command center with Sofi and Ryland secretly holding hands. I cant seem to find them. SO Cute...... My little bundle became a little handful on that day...

[Edited on 12-4-2007 by MrsFDT]

Found them:

Ditto, any progress on the Paypal?

Those pictures are priceless. Those two are going to spend the rest of their lives living with that. What a little stud Dougs son is.

Toy Drop off update

I haven't posted concerning the Toy Drive yet. But I just saw my paypal email listed here as a paypal donation for the toy drive....

First I want to say thank you to the three who have sent money to this account. You are angels and every bit helps so we wont turn anything down as it helps tremendously! However I want to keep the focus on toys and dont want this to become a cash thing.

I ask that you not send money to this email address.

This is my personal account for my Chihuahua's and rescue funds for strays that find their way to my door. I feel a little wierd about getting funds there and prefer to keep it separate. Fernando gave out that email address, as it was the only account we had when requested. I created another account with a debit card to help keep track of what is spent.

If any of you feel that you absolutely want to give and cant send a toy or just find it more conviniant to donate, then please send it to toydrive2008@ultimatebaja.com instead and be specific about where you want it spent. Toys or Event organizing. Reciepts available. Since this is a new thing, with it only being the second year were obviously not a tax deductable organazation, but it is something to consider now. (I dont think FDT is going to stop) We are just a bunch of Nomads wanting to make a brighter day for some kids, in the traditional way of a Mexican Christmas. The day of the 3 Kings, Dia de los Reyes.

For toy drop off locations, Fernando has spoken to the store who graciously took all the toys in and stored them for us last year. They were bought out this past summer by another company. However, They are also willing to help with the collection, only we have to wait for the ok from the second owner and that wont come until Monday. Good news is they own a chain of differant stores so the drop off locations will increase to several locations. Yay. So stay tuned for Monday. Fernando will also be going over detailes during the radio shows in the evenings.

With that said, I want to be candid here. Last year we were in dire straits to be blunt. To the point that we actually didnt buy anything for our own kids. My mom did that for us and of coarse the little one, Sofia, did get a Micky and Mini stuffed toy from a huge donation of them cortesy of Oso. Thank you Oso. She was on cloud nine and still plays Micky and Mini get married with them. Too cute.

My point is that even as bad off as we were financially and in spite of my telling Fernando it couldnt or shouldnt be done, considerdering our situation. He still did it and he did it with almost nothing. It was stressful due to the lack of money, yes, but we now know (I know) it can be pulled off with perserveriance, focus and a passion to help someone else, in spite of the odds of succeding. What a reward! (He started crying the minute he walked into that church on the day we got off the bus.)

The childrens eyes lit up and they began to sing at the sight of us filing in one at a time through the small door. The hum of little voices and whispers through the small church building rose to an excited level as we began bringing in the boxes filled with wrapped toys and shiny ribbons. Then when Doug, Ken and his boys rolled the bikes in (4 of them) I dont think the kids could contain themselves in anticipation of who those would go to. Box after box and armful after armful we carried them in. Most of the kids recieved as many as 3 to 4 presents each. (I think a couple got in line several times. :lol When everyone had gifts there were still more and those we handed out randomly until they were all gone.

This IS what this is about and this is what I would like it stay about. For us it's giving even if you think you got nothing left to give... thats when you give more.

None of this would have happened without those Nomads who made it out of theyr'e way to drop off, mail or find a way to get a toy to the kids. We did it with 400.00 Pesos from a nomad in Ensenada and a check for $100 Dollars from a nomad in San Diego, along with whatever we could muster ourselves. I think thats right. Fernando took care of that end. So correct me if im off.

Doing the phisical labor of handing out toys and keeping the lines strait, carrying and sorting toys for appropriate age groups was Doug Means (BajaNomad) and his family, Ken (TripledigitKen), myself, Fernando our kids and Kens wife, as well as a local Tijuana historian. Along with a bunch of toys they donated themselves.

With the exception of the kids we picked up on the bus, it was empty

My hope is that more Nomads, who possably can swing it, join us on that day. Fernando is working on a spectacular package for our enjoyment as well. The cost? little or nothing is our goal. After all he did get us a bus from the city last year for free. With the money we have gotten already this year we can go a little further with less stress of making it happen. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

________________________________________________

One special thing I want to share with everyone. It was the one thing that really got me and stuck with me through the year. OK well its two things but they are connected.

First was the little deaf boy. He was an increadable little boy. He was hearing impaired but that didnt look like it was an issue for him. The minute that bike rolled into the church, he was all over it. He kept insisting that it should be for him, even interupting the line to make his point. All in hand signs and what noises he could make to get his point accross. I tried to tell him that those would be last. But he couldnt hear me and I didnt know anything but to hold my hand up like stop and shake my finger in no. He looked disappointed. Then went back and sat down

Finally when it was time for the bikes he piped in again jumping up and down and waving his arms wildly. Im not sure but it seemed the equivelnt of yelling to get the message home. We were all amused by his antics in an effort to get that bike under him. He finally did get the bike.
PHOTO taken by TripleDigetKen January 06, 2007
Feliz Dia de Reyes!


The other, my oldest daugter, 12 years old and the connection was the young deaf boy who got the shiny Candy Apple Red bike, 9 years old. This is what we strived to teach our kids and it paid off in spades.

I mentioned that we were in bad shape last year no presents personally from mom or dad. Well our daughter Danielle did get a bike from another source, a shiny Candy Apple Red brand new bike just before Xmas. She was extatic over it. Christmas was good to her, on Christmas day she broke her leg. In the days between Christmas and Dia de Reyes she decided she wouldnt be able to ride her new bike for months and it made more sense to give it to someone who would enjoy it. As parents we first reacted by saying that she should keep it, as she would be able to hop on it in just a few months. She insisted and Fernando and I realized that this was why we were doing this and decided it was a good choice. We were very proud.
Danielle was just as happy as when she saw it as her own that very first time. I think it will bring tears to my eyes for the rest of my life. There couldnt have been a more deserving recipiant or a more pure hearted giver.

I dont believe she told many people it was her that gave it up. Im doing that now for her. Both were blessed and so are we. Now hopefully you are too.

[Edited on 12-7-2007 by MrsFDT]

Quote:

Originally posted by MrsFDT Heres one from the book signing last year. Ill have to look for the others.... I'll Post them in a bit [Edited on 12-4-2007 by MrsFDT]

Thanks bajaguy, I sent you a U2U but most importantly is not to forget to make room for the coasters for Dennis

Thank you

They have they're moments. We look around at a lot of whats going on in the world and I find it amazing sometimes that our kids have hearts like they do. Makes me feel better, when Im thinking I haven't done enough.

Gracias Oso, here is a very fortunate child that received some of thos great Mickey and Minnie dolls.

Oh My... yes, yes, yesss....

Whoever is delivering toys and wants to have Mariscos Hector, let me know, I might join you.

Hey BAJACAT, the toy drive is Jan 06, a Sunday, Dia de Reyes. Ensenada is the destination, I'll U2U with info on needing Tu Trocka

Thanks grover

Thanks Baja Nomad

And to make it even easyer for those dropping off toys, the good people of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service have joined in the effort with theire San Diego locations.

This thread looks a lot better when it's on top

Quote:

Originally posted by fdt This thread looks a lot better when it's on top

Maps

If you are comming 5 South, there are two easy ways to get to Miscellaneous, 5 South - Chula Vista, you exit either on Palomar or Main Street, go East to Broadway and turn south if comming from Palomar, North if coming from Main.



If you're comming from 805 South, exit on Main street Chula Vista and go West to Broadway, turn right (North) and it's right there.

Don't forget, toys went on sale today

Incentive

ok we're finally home. let us know what we can do. had a great time in guadalajara, ajijíc, vallarta, tonalá and tlaquepaque. will try and remember to post more on that later.

meanwhile, please catch us up on how we can help best on el día de los reyes magos. we're rarin' to go

What a great idea


Those US Nomads that will be attending the Dia de Reyes toy drive and have some extra used items of clothing that they could bring along to give away to these kids, please do so. No, do not drop off clothes at the locations listed since used clothing is not beeing requested and would be hard for us to transport, just if you're comming down for the event and you can bring some items, please do.

PS;
Toys Toys Toys

As for th Nomad Get together for the day of the toy drive and were we will be enjoying tamales, chocolate or champurrado and handing out gifts will be the India Bonita restaurant.
Here is a review from BajaCat
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=27359



[Edited on 12-28-2007 by fdt]

Toys, Toys, Toys

We still need more toys, Call your friends, neighbors, cousins, anyone and tell them about these children and about this toy drive. Among these are the children of 7 families who lost everything they had with the mudslides. We are doing this on January 06 and we havn't asked for toys for a whole year.
You can still mail or send toys and the address for that is :
Baja Nomad Toy Drive
c/o Miscellaneous
1655 Broadway, Suite 10
Chula Vista, CA 91911

Or if you are dropping off a toy, you can do so at any of the Jackson Hewitt tax service franchise locations listed here;


Thank you so much.

map to India Bonita from Maneadero/hwy1

India Bonita Restaurant, approx 4 miles on road to Labuf. Watch for the 5 topes(speed bumps) and I.B. teepee entrance is on your left.


[Edited on 12-30-2007 by bajadock]

can I have the worm,,please..

You can have the worm in exchange for a toy.

Quote:

Originally posted by fdt You can have the worm in exchange for a toy.

Dennis, this is a kid thread

Don't worry, you can hijack as long as at the end you ask for a toy

Oh no, a tomatothon for the kids, lets ask Doug to change the banner fast

Or do... if you like getting caught in the rain.

Perfect and Sunday morning it's an empty parking lot. Great place to discuss the free road vs the gauntlet

I think we are alone on this..lol