A happy Noel: Successful campaigns brighten the holidays [El Paso Times, Texas]

Dec. 24--Four months ago, Maria Soto moved with her family to El Paso from Juarez, knowing they would be safe. Her three young daughters were traumatized by the violence they had heard and seen in their neighborhood.

What she didn't know is how much generosity she would encounter in this city.

Soto, her husband, and her three girls, ages 7, 9, and 11, were visited Tuesday by J.C. Franco and a couple of co-workers from Ardovino's Desert Crossing.

Franco, a server, Tai Hunt, restaurant manager, and restaurant co-owner Marina Ardovino walked into the family's small Northeast apartment bearing plenty of gifts.

"I read about your family in the paper, and it really resonated with me because my cousin was killed in Juarez three years ago," Franco told the family in Spanish.

His cousin, Manny Rodriguez (whom they called J.R.) was an innocent victim of a shooting at his girlfriend's house in Juarez, while visiting her on Oct. 5, 2008.

"I just wanted to do something because I felt for your family," Franco said.

The family is one of several families featured in the El Paso Times since Thanksgiving as part of Operation Noel.

The campaign, by the El Paso Times, JDW Insurance and Channel 7-KVIA, is one of two charities that have been featured in the newspaper. The other charity is the Senior Fund, which provides seniors on fixed incomes such needs as adult diapers, meal replacement shakes, hearing aids and dental work.

District 78 state Rep. Dee Margo, chairman

and CEO of JDW Insurance, said El Pasoans once again came through by raising $202,500 with their donations for Operation Noel.

"I am continually amazed at the generosity of the people of El Paso. We raised our goal to cover the cost" of 15,000 coats, he said.

He added, "We will continue to use donations toward the down payment for coats for next year. Hopefully, we can buy as many or more next year."

Donations may be sent year-round to Operation Noel, P.O. Box 981021, El Paso, TX 79998-1021 or online at www.operationnoel.org.

Soto's girls will receive new coats for Christmas from Operation Noel. But the mother was almost speechless when she saw the visitors with their hands full of gifts.

Throughout the past two months, many El Pasoans -- touched by the profiles of needy families -- have opened their wallets to make Christmas brighter for many of these families.

Franco said it didn't take much to get other Ardovino's employees on board with buying presents for the family. Marina Ardovino posted their effort on the restaurant's Facebook page, and several customers helped with presents.

"It was a great idea e and now we're thinking we should continue it," Ardovino said.

The El Pasoans enjoyed seeing the faces of the family as they handed them the gifts.

"We appreciate it so much," said Soto, who doesn't have a tree or any decorations to show that the holiday is here.

"It's almost overwhelming -- their kindness," said Soto. "May God bless them with even more and take care of them. And maybe one day, my daughters can do the same for someone else."

Nine-year-old Jessica and her sisters delighted in opening a few gifts before Christmas and decided to save the rest for Sunday.

Asked by their mother whether they believed in Santa Claus, they chimed in together, "Yes."

The girls were all smiles as they opened popular animal hats and new dolls complete with play clothes.

Soto's husband, Octavio Salazar, was thankful for a coat Franco handed him. The father has been working sporadically in construction and cleaning yards.

He said the warm jacket will come in handy when he goes out to look for work.

Mostly, he was happy to see his daughters so happy.

"We didn't think they were going to get anything for Christmas," he said.

Christmas for Seniors

Meanwhile, at the El Paso Times, Nora Salazar, administrative assistant for chief executive officer Sergio Salinas, has been busy opening letters, much like Santa Claus.

Instead of petitions, these letters are full of comments like "thank you for doing this," and "in memory of my grandfather," along with checks for a few dollars or as much a $5,000.

"I enjoy reading the cards. El Pasoans really care for their seniors," said Salazar, who keeps tab of the money being donated to the Senior Fund.

Salazar said so far about $40,000 has been raised, and she still has many more cards to open. She is optimistic the newspaper will meet its goal of $100,000.

"We get about 20 to 30 cards every day," she said. "And we got good news. We have another dentist willing to work with us."

Salazar said there are now three dentists who will do dental work at a reduced cost for seniors on fixed incomes.

Earlier this week, Westsider Dolores Quinonez felt as if Christmas had come early. Her husband, Roberto, who has limited ability to walk and relies on a wheelchair, received help from the Senior Fund.

Roberto Quinonez was injured in a work accident in 1992 and can hardly walk, despite several surgeries on herniated disks.

They were excited that the Senior Fund paid for installing a ramp on their van so they can carry his motorized wheelchair more easily.

"We have already tried it out. It's going to be so helpful to us," said Dolores Quinonez, who also needs surgery on her knee.

The wife said she had been inquiring about a ramp for several months but couldn't afford the cost. She also takes care of her frail mother.

"They told me it would cost $600, and we didn't have it," she said. "And then later I found the ramp at a garage sale and bought it for $75. But I just had it there on the side of the house because they told me it would cost $227 to install it."

She added, "I couldn't do it because we needed to pay for his glasses and I needed some, too. So I thought maybe we could do it after Christmas."

Laura Huitron, a care coordinator with the Area Agency on Aging, said Erik Green of Mobility was kind enough to install the ramp for them before Christmas.

"He is such a nice man," said Huitron, while visiting with the couple Dec. 19.

Maria Cortes Gonzalez may be reached at [email protected]; 546-6150.

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(c)2011 the El Paso Times (El Paso, Texas)

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