Cookies, candy and hot dogs, brought cherished grins from ear to ear to the small 40 faces of local children with jubilant thankful smiles just like Play station, I phone’s and video games do to more fortunate children today across the United States and other parts of the world. Yes, most of us are somewhat spoiled and need to take a moment to realize how small things such as candy or a hot dog can make such an impact. It was Santa Claus In Mexico 27 years ago.
John Fowler, organizer of the Santa Claus Club in Rocky Point, Mexico (Puerto Penasco) started this monumental giving organization to the local community over 27 years ago one Christmas holiday.
In 1981, originally from Natchez, Mississippi this part time Puerto Penasco resident had nothing to do for Christmas and with the help of the current Cholla Bay police chief in 1981, Augustine Leon, they rounded up 40 kids from the local community , invited them into JJ’s Cantina a local hangout along the beautiful Sea of Cortez in Cholla Bay, Rocky Point, Mexico and had a holiday party.
After that first year of 40 kids receiving holiday treats, the rest is history. The Santa Claus Club was organized and two years ago JJ’s Cantina Christmas Club party witnessed over 4500 kids.
From 40 to 4500 kids, Wow, the Santa Claus Club keeps growing each year giving away bicycles, clothes, toys even wheelchairs for children and seniors.
In 2009, with the attendee number so large, John Fowler states “Instead of them coming to us, we go to them, and not just Christmas but on a weekly basis.”
John talks about the thousands of people who live in cardboard boxes in the old town dump, where the sand has blown over. In today’s economy sad stories like this are plentiful but hard to imagine for those of us who are fortunate and have jobs and warm roofs over our head. Living in a cardboard box, with garbage all around, conjures up the movie scene of Slum Dog Millionaire. Yes, to most of us it is just a scene from a film, but sadly enough it is reality to many families. The good news is groups exist that are trying to assist by getting them out of cardboard boxes and into little stucco houses. Also, organizations such as the Santa Claus Club work year round to bring a little Christmas and giving to those in need. Right now, the Santa Claus Club goes out into areas where families live in dire straits to provide items such as clothing, blankets and bicycles.
This year John stresses, the Santa Claus Club “is trying to update ourselves into the real world. “ John who is retired and not familiar with the new technology of the internet and computers states, “It is important people know where the money is going . Now instead of my personal letter every year, we are gathering emails and updating ourselves on the web” As John gets active on the computer he is amazed how fast you can look someone up and get an email address.
Go to www.santaclaus.org. Check out the pictures, check out the statistics and if you have been pondering what to do with used clothing that has been hanging in your closet for a year, (that you never wear) or the used toys, games and bicycles your kids have out grown, here is your solution. Email Santa ClausClub@hotmail.com or call 602-840-1528 in the US or locally Puerto Penasco 382-5141. 100% of your donations go to the families of Puerto Penasco, Mexico.
Basically anything that someone else can use, pass it on, pay it forward, make someone’s holiday. Go to the website www.santaclaus.org contact someone who will get it to the right person and bring a little Santa Claus to those in need year round.
Yes, John, I believe, there is a Santa Claus and he’s visiting Mexico.
More information on visiting Rocky Point, check out the new Rocky Point Tourism and Visitor Assistance .