Chocolatara

Chocolatara is the term used by local Peruvians describing the main event of "Brighten Their Christmas". This is a term that strikes excitement in children's hearts because they know what it means. The children know that it is a time when Christmas can be celebrated even if their families have no money, food, or resources.

As I mentioned before, the main event of "Brighten Their Christmas" will be the event of handing out a basket composed of at least one shirt, one toy, and one piece of candy to over 200 children! The Churches that will be utilized to give out the gifts have done similar events in the past. Just last year they held a Christmas event where gifts were handed out to children who had waited very patiently. Some of the poorest children, so excited to receive the free gift, slept outside in the streets with their families so they could receive whatever gift was being given. But with the hard times, the Church was only able to give out a single ball to each child. However, the children were so pleased, an onlooker would have thought they all received ponies!

That was a year ago. This year, times have become even harder for the local Church. Due to the the never ending construction costs, imposed on the Church from the 2007 earthquake, some locals were wondering if the children were going to receive even one gift this year.

Well sometimes things just work out! As you know instead of letting children wait hopelessly, the team of "Brighten Their Christmas" has came together to do accomplish something big. We have started early and are still fighting hard to spread the message about the program by getting Churches, organizations, businesses, and individuals of all age and gender excited about the great opportunity to put a smile on a child's face by not only giving a gift, but giving hope to a land that so desperately needs it. The "Brighten Their Christmas" team will help give the children that toy, free shirt, piece of candy, and depending on you, maybe even more!

Thank you all for you calls and support. Please continue to share the heart of this program with your co-workers, bosses, friends, and family. Every little bit helps. Together we can move mountains! Lets come together this Christmas and show the children of Peru they are deserving of a Christmas too!