BRADENTON HERALD

December 22, 2005

Healthy Start holds Christmas party for migrant families

By Laura Figueroa

BRADENTON - High-pitched screams echoed from the doors of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. There were squeals of delight, combined with outbursts of pure fright.

Freddie Sanchez, 8, didn't mind sitting on Santa's lap at the Healthy Start Coalition Christmas Party on Wednesday afternoon, but his three younger cousins cried at the thought of approaching the bearded man in red and white fuzzy clothing.

"Don't you want to get a gift?" Freddie asked his cousin, Joel Sanchez, 6, in Spanish. He attempted to push Joel toward Santa, which resulted in a frantic scream and tears.

"They're scared because they haven't seen him before," Freddie explained in Spanish. "But I have."

Healthy Start, which provides health care services to many of the county's migrant farmworker population, and low-income families, held the Christmas party to remind the families that they are not alone this holiday season, said Luz Corcuera, the program's director.

"Many of them don't have a family or a support system in the area," said Corcuera. "We want to make sure they have a day where they can spend time with other families like them. Where all the kids can interact, so that they realize they indeed have support in this community."

For many of the families, it wasn't the prospect of gifts that brought them to the event, it was sharing a good time with those in similar situations.

"It's wonderful being here and sharing the camaraderie with the other mothers," said Eluid Valencia in Spanish. She brought her 1-year-old daughter Evita along.

At the event, Ruben Aguirre, 5, put to practice the age-old theory that it is better to give than to receive.

When he received a "Dora the Explorer" children's book intended for girls, after waiting in line alongside 120 other children, he did not gripe but instead wasted no time in putting a smile on his sister Marisol's face. He handed the 2-year-old the new book.

She'll like it more, he explained to his mother Aracely Aguirre, of Bradenton.

"This is what Christmas is all about," said Manatee County Court Judge Durand Adams, who volunteered to distribute books.

Corcuera said her organization prefers to give books over toys, because the impact of books last longer.

"To me, education is the most important tool," Corcuera said. "It is a tool out of poverty, out of ignorance, and a way to move up."

Though the books, donated by Bradenton attorneys C.J. Czaia and Kevin Gallagher are in English, she hopes the children, most of whom are bilingual, take the time to read them with their parents, who may not be as fluent in English.

"We want these families to know they are all important members of the community," said Fred Leonard, executive director of Healthy Start. "If they came from Mexico or other countries, they should feel that this is their home while they are here."