EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — It’s well into the holiday season now and while many are busy shopping around for Christmas gifts, many in the Borderland are choosing to take part in gift-giving donation campaigns as an annual tradition.
“It’s really comforting. I grew up around a lot of low-income households or low-income schools. There’s a lot of people who miss out on the magic of Christmas,” said Itzel Baltazar, who said she usually helps with gift donation wrappings at the Student Activities Complex (SAC) held by the Socorro Independent School District (SISD).
Baltazar said even just helping to wrap presents, knowing that they will be sent to someone less fortunate, is a rewarding experience.
“When you go to places like that, (the magic) it’s there regardless. Everybody’s just really happy. They want to make the kids happy. They want to make sure everyone’s fed,especially in Hispanic culture. It’s really nice,” Baltazar said.
Born and raised in El Paso, Baltazar said the way people come together for these gift-giving campaigns during the holiday season is unique.
“I think if you’re from here, you’ve had a lot of perspective about how not everybody has the same chance. Not everyone has the same kind of family. But because we’re a border town, it feels like everyone’s family,” Baltazar said.
One of the largest and most well-known holiday gift donation campaigns in the Borderland is the Spirit of Giving, led by the El Paso Community Foundation (EPCF), a tradition now going on its 36th year.
“We work with about 35 different, nonprofit organizations that provide direct services to the young, the elderly, to folks who are coming out of foster care. These are all folks that have a little bit of a disadvantage, whether it’s family or it’s economic situation, but we want to offer a little bit of opportunity for people to help them during a really special time of the year,” said Eric Pearson, president and the CEO of the EPCF.
People can contribute to the Spirit of Giving by sponsoring a gift from the campaign’s virtual tree online, choosing a tag from physical trees at the Cielo Vista Mall and the Shoppes at Solana, or by physically dropping off an unwrapped gift at their location space at the Shoppes at Solana (on second floor next to Monkey Rock).
The deadline to sponsor or drop off a gift through their campaign is this upcoming Thursday, Dec. 12.
“So we know that this builds community, and we know that it makes you a part of something that’s bigger than yourself. And that is the definition of philanthropy, the idea that we can just help someone that we don’t know and, and make sure that we’re just offering a little bit of joy in their life, even if it’s anonymous, even if it’s just a tiny bit,” Pearson said.
You can call (915) 533-4020 or visit SpiritofGiving.epcf.org for more information.
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