The morning of December 21st was seasonably chilly and clear.
Elynor and her parents bundled up before they stuffed their CR-V like a Christmas goose and hauled your donations over the river to Alexandria, where Casa Chirilagua hosted JusticeDMV’s 4th annual Santa Con Sabor.
It was a long day, but a good one. And not just because the hosts provided papusas for the volunteers.
A platoon of volunteers – caring people, old and older with a smattering of high school aged kids to lift the heavy stuff – helped to unload a dozen vehicles, including ours, and carrier 6 30-gallon clear contractor bags and 1 giant dog’s worth of stuffies* into the small building.
Elynor spent three hours helping the staff of Food Justice DMV and Casa Chirilagua, first preparing the donations for the line of families that braved the cold and then handed out the stuffies you donated. She made sure every kid who came into the room found a stuffie they would love, even digging through the mound of plush to find a doll that was just right. There were a lot of smiling kids with new toys and happy adults who would be able to give gifts this Christmas.
You all made many kids happy this Christmas. And that included Elynor. She far exceeded her 100-stuffie goal thanks to your generosity.
Thank you, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a great New Year
* Elynor officially counted 254 on the 15th; many of you good people gave a few dozen after that. So nearly 300, including the dog