Rotary Club of Hispano-Latinos and Murray Rotary Club Foundation join forces to provide toys, clothes for children

Intermountain Catholic

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A Rotary Club Santa Claus gives the perfect gift to a child at the Anna Smith Elementary School in Wendover, in December, 2006. photo courtesy of Holy Cross Ministries

SALT LAKE CITY — The Rotary Club of Hispano-Latinos of Salt Lake City, in cooperation with the Murray Rotary Club Foundation, have begun their 2007 toy drive, many of the beneficiaries of which will be children and families served by Holy Cross Ministries in Park City, Wendover, and Salt Lake City. At a Nov. 8 meeting of Clinica Hispana and Rotary Club of Hispano-Latinos of Salt Lake, Dr. Cesar Diaz, president of Rotary Club of Hispano-Latinos of Salt Lake, got the ball rolling, setting dates for visits to schools and churches where parents will bring their children to meet Santa and receive gifts of toys and clothing.

Both the Murray Rotary Club Foundation and Rotary Club of Hispano-Latinos of Salt Lake are member of Rotary International.

"The toy drive goal for this year is to help 3,000 children in need before Dec. 25," said Diaz to a roomful of Hispanic business leaders. "Each of you is expected to make 10 connections with other businesses, asking each one to provide 10 toys."

Representing Murray Rotary Club Foundation, Dr. Jerry Summerhays, a dentist and periodontist, said recruiting businesses to participate in the program means calling businesses, making personal visits, and asking for toys and monetary donations.

Summerhays and members of the Rotary Club of Hispano-Latinos had already begun soliciting toys, new and gently used clothing, and financial gifts, reporting their efforts at the meeting.

Members are asking anyone who can to provide new toys for boys and girls from ages newborn to 13 years old; used (in good condition) or new clothing for children from newborn to 17 years old; financial donations (which can be sent to: Murray Rotary Club Foundation, Dr. Jerry Summerhays, 5866 South Meadow Crest Drive, Murray, Utah 84107); and 10-12 men to dress up as Santa Claus. The service organizations also provide lunch and dinner for volunteers at the gift-giving sites.

Holy Cross Sister Mary Ann Pajakowski of Holy Cross Ministries told the Intermountain Catholic the Rotary Club project had wonderful results last year.

"They provided gifts for every child at the Anna Smith Elementary School in Wendover, and most, if not all of the students there qualify for free or reduced cost lunches. After school one day, up drove big vans loaded with presents. When Santa Claus got out, the students got so excited. It was a wonderful thing to see and to participate in."

Sr. Mary Ann said the Rotary Clubs also try to plug families into Sub-For-Santa programs, but there are always families and children who fall through the cracks.

"The Rotary Clubs and their leaders – they’re like a house afire," she said.

Businesses and individuals who participate in the Rotary Christmas project receive certificates recognizing their generosity.

This year the clubs are looking forward to donations from the Happy Factory, an all-volunteer organization that specializes in hand-made wooden gifts for children, and are hoping to get donations of toys, clothing, and financial assistance from others who hear about the program.

Last year, the two Rotary Clubs assisted 12 different organizations, including Holy Cross Ministries; Comunidades Unidas, which serves the Latino and new immigrant population; and Migrant Head Start programs in Providence and Genola, Utah. This year they plan to participate in a Christmas Posada ceremony hosted by the Mexican Consul to Salt Lake City, Salvador Jimenez.

The clubs will be gathering gifts and wrapping them Dec. 22 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 7631, South Chapel Street, (425 West), Midvale, Utah 84047.

If you would like to assist Clinica Hispana and Rotary Club of Hispano-Latinos of Salt Lake and the Murray Rotary Club Foundation provide toys and clothing to children this Christmas, contact Dr. Cesar Diaz, 801-548-1473 or on the web at Drdiazprevention@aol.com, or Jerry Summerhays, 5866 S. Meadow Crest Drive, Murray, Utah 84107.