Joy of Christmas

Several businesses, organizations, volunteers and government officials from both sides of the border are joining forces to put together a blow-out Dia de los Reyes celebration for Ambos Nogales children.

“The magic of Dia de los Reyes is the overwhelming involvement … to make more than 4,000 children smile for a day,” said Gael “Sylvia” Pullen, owner of the Nogales McDonald’s restaurants.

“The real surprise is that it is the children who make more than 250 volunteers smile,” she said.

For about 30 years, McDonald’s restaurants in Nogales has partnered with immigration and Border Patrol officials, service organizations and a host of community volunteers to provide Happy Meals, clothing and school supplies to children from Nogales.

In 2008, the Pullen family expanded the Christmas tradition to bring joy to more than 4,000 children from Ambos Nogales.

Dia de los Reyes is on Jan. 6, but the celebration comes a bit early on New Year’s Day as it captures the spirit of the Three Wise Men by bearing gifts of encouragement, food and clothing to children who otherwise would be completely without, Pullen said.

“The children are truly grateful for any and all gifts,” she said.

Last year, those gifts included backpacks, rice, beans, produce, tortillas, blankets, scarves, knit caps, gloves, toys, candy, cookies and school supplies.

Organizers are hoping to garner 4,000 of each item through donations, Pullen said, adding that the deadline for delivering the items will be Friday, Dec. 5.