Give a Child in Need a Gift They'll Never Forget
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A few years ago, we helped create this fundraiser to share the joy of participating in a “Chocolatada," one of the most touching holiday traditions many of us have experienced while traveling in Peru.
A Chocolatada is a Christmas celebration. It provides impoverished children, usually under the age of 10, with toys and the opportunity for self-expression.
Gifts, cake, and hot chocolate (by which it’s named) are gathered, and a full-blown party is thrown for children who would never otherwise know what being the guest of honor at a party feels like.
It is the only day of the year they get to dress up and play with a new toy they can call their own.
Some of the younger kids even look bewildered at a wrapped present because they’ve never seen one before.
But a Chocolatada is more than just about acquiring a “thing.” It’s about making these kids know that their lives are important. It's about giving them the ability to expand, nurture, and grow their young minds.
It’s about making them feel loved.
I’ll never forget the ecstatic jubilation of the kids as our car pulled up to the Chocolatada I attended.
“Are you from Lima,” one boy said as I got out of the car.
“No, I’m from New York,” I said.
Jaws dropped. Hands when in the air. A huge cheer erupted.
They literally couldn’t believe someone in a rich, faraway land like the USA would ever care about them. (Or they had no idea what New York was and just cheered anyway because I looked rich and foreign, but I digress…)
The glee in their faces handing out gifts was worth the price of admission.
But the real epiphany came watching the kids have fun on stage. It occurred to me that this is also the only time these little humans ever get to feel like rock stars…and maybe ever will.
The toys are rudimentary, but it doesn’t take much to expand a child's creative imagination-- especially when your regular toys are old and broken.
We wish we could take you all to a Chocolatada, but Peru is a little far. So, here’s the next best thing: a chance for you to be a part of their story via this fundraiser. It’s super easy. It's not expensive— And these kids will remember what you did for them for the rest of their lives.
My dear friend Ricardo Martin Palomino Conislla, (a local who I volunteered with back then) is our partner on the ground. We want to raise $1545.90 to provide a Chocolatada for 250 low-income children aged 1-8 in his hometown of Pisco, Peru.
Pisco was flattened during an earthquake in 2007 and the poorest have never fully recovered. Your donation will directly provide the children in this community toys, cake, dinner, and entertainment.
The nitty-gritty details of where the funds go are listed below. You can see exactly what you are buying. Anything you can give will help.
Just one $7 donation can show a child that someone out there (you!!!) cares about them.
How many kids can you make smile?
1 Child - $6.19 (Around one Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks!)
5 Children - $30.95 (About one dinner in a restaurant)
10 Children - $61.90 (Almost half the price of admission to Disney World)
25 Children - $154.75 (What you’d spend going to see show or concert)
It's incredible what a huge impact so little can have on people who have next to nothing.
Martin (as he’s known) has been a friend of ours for over a decade now. He’s a local volleyball coach who cares for his mom. He never fails to awe us with his commitment to care for those less fortunate than himself.
Together we will keep this page updated with photos so you can see your donation at work.
*We are skipping "snacks" this year, instead adding more cake and dinner.
Toys for 250 kids -- 250 @ $3.74 = $935
Paneton (cake) -- 40 @ $2.74each = $109.60
Hot Chocolate (milk, chocolate, sugar) -- $146.29
A Clown! -- $87.26
Fun Decorations -- $124.65
DJ -- $24.93
Dinner -- (Noodles, tuna, olive oil) -- $80.77
5 Serving Tubs -- $37.40
Total: $1545.90
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. You can have a significant effect on these people with little effort. Besides, there is no joy quite like helping a child in need discover their creative voice.
Thanks!
Matt Bell
PS: Below, you'll find images from last year's fundraiser.
Organizer
Matt Bell
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA