BOCA RATON TOY DRIVE 2022

Does Santa Claus exist?

Is Santa Claus real?

Don't answer yet, Travel in our real history.

Every year around the world, millions of good people do "charities", donate money and time to entities, needy families, different causes, and send basic food baskets to less favored people. The reasons vary, but the important thing is that people are helped in some way.

President RI: Jennifer Jones

Governor: Louis Vocelle Jr. (Buck)

In fact, compassionate people do good, sometimes alone, and other times they join entities and associations…

We, and I say "We" because more than 1.4 million people around the world are engaged in projects that touch lives. I'm talking about ROTARIANS.

And in the month of December, the world becomes “warmer” to the eyes of adults and children alike. They rejoice in Christmas stories, houses are brighter, malls become the “Disneys” of adults rushing to buy presents to become saints for their family members, and we Rotarians dream of bringing answers to the many letters sent by children

Here in the USA, Boca Raton - Florida where we live, our team carries out many projects, many of them are mirror images of actions that are done in many other cities, states and countries. We try to make time (although we are not always available), and that is the most beautiful part of this statement. We don't always have time, but each professional in my club Rotary Club Boca Raton West and other Boca Raton, Boca Raton Sunrise, Downtown Boca Raton Clubs find time among their many activities and dedicate themselves to the TOY DRIVE PROJECT

A Project born 16 years ago, a fantastic idea from a man who confessed to me that he believes in Santa Claus, and has this enthusiasm of believing even more in the union of people willing to believe that you can make families happier on “Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day ”

Douglas Heizer who is currently working on a life project, (he was appointed as district governor) believing that it would be possible to collect toys and help put smiles on so many children who believe in Santa, founded and encouraged an army of people who have been dedicating themselves for all these years in this dream so real.

On Sunday, December 11th - A team of volunteers from our club and related clubs attended a party full of rewarding moments that no money can buy. Our real Santa - a captivating human who dresses as a Santa, and his appearance is really worthy of applause, Francisco Rodrigues He could be anywhere else keeping the secrets of little children who leave their dreams in letters sent to this good old man, however he, as the admirable volunteer who he is, donates this Sunday at the Carousel at Sugar Center Park.

The morning caresses us with a light breeze, the smiles of many parents who take their children to the park and certainly not remembering that we will be there, receiving the gifts, other parents who, impacted by our action, go back to their childhood time and want to be photographed with Santa The magic took hold of each of the volunteers' guests, and as if each of us, whether or not we believe in Santa Claus, clung to the wings of time and went back to being children again.

This year we had generous hearts, as an unbelievable amount of bicycles, children's games, dolls, balls, cars, electronic games were donated. Making the dreams of needy parents being heard and recorded by Santa Claus For each one of us who got involved in this process of weekly meetings in November and December for the traditional happy hours in restaurants where associates and guests arrive with their donations, and business partners and professionals who Cont.pag.4 collect gifts and not only gifts but also donate money so that the dreams come true. More than 2,000 toys were collected, thanks to the dedication of everyone involved, making us even more certain that each one of us who may or may not accept the idea of the good old man, that the heart is really happy for all the little eyes that will certainly shine yet another year made possible by those involved in the TOY DRIVE project.

Every moment recorded by the cameras of each volunteer demonstrates that the desire of each one of us to dedicate ourselves to others does not need any ideal form or logistics that are not always exact, that was made very clear and that in each dedicated heart the Christmas magic lives on.

Just in time, from our family to yours, wishes for a Christmas of promises fulfilled, smiles recorded in the clicks of your cell, camaraderie and memories collected and engraved in grateful hearts for the true meaning of CHRISTMAS

By Lígia Assunção