Three Kings Day Toy Drive: Bringing Joy to the Children of our Community

Three Kings Day Toy Drive: Bringing Joy to the Children of our Community

Published December 24, 2024

By Danita Brisson

You may know January 6th as the Twelfth Day of Christmas, Feast of the Epiphany, Three Kings Day or Theophany. In Western traditions, it celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Magi. For the Eastern and Orthodox religions, it marks the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. In San Miguel, it’s called The Holy Kings Day, an homage to the arrival of the Three Wise Men bearing gifts for baby Jesus. Local tradition says before children go to bed on January 5, they place their old shoes out with a wish list for the Three Kings. In the morning, they find their shoes filled with toys and gifts. In reality, many children living under extreme poverty in the campo receive little or nothing to mark the day.

Fifteen years ago, Canadian expats John and Sharon Doherty addressed that situation by founding the Three Kings Day Toy Drive. Initially they collected, wrapped and delivered donated toys to kids in outlying schools. The charity was never registered and so doesn’t issue tax receipts, but that hasn’t deterred donors and volunteers, who simply want to bring joy to children in our community. After seven years, the demands of running EESMA School for the Deaf left the Dohertys little time for the toy drive so they recruited Les Pearson to take over.

Bringing joy to disadvantaged children in our community is Les’ reason for the season. If it’s yours too, do yourself a favor and volunteer. Donations are also gratefully accepted through PayPal at mexicokid77@yahoo.com.

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