DECEMBER 22, 2021 www.wintertexantimes.com 2 WINTER TEXAN TIMES TACLA006249C •Extended Service Plans Available •Worry-free Installation •No Hassle Satisfaction Guarantee •We Service All Models 956-255-8900 ColairInc.com Proudly Serving the RGV for over 35 years! Breathe Easy with Colair See SANTA pg. 16 tributions, and shopped for a Dec. 11 party, which they called “Santa’s Posada”. This event became a reality due to the efforts of the McAllen Elks Lodge #1402 (Exalted Ruler Milly Hernandez), McAllen Southern Justice Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club (Chapter Secretary Eli Garcia, road name Ghiandi) and Alamo Rec-Veh Park (Tripp, aka Santa). Even before he played Santa, Tripp maintained a firm belief that all children should enjoy the Christmas holiday. “Underprivileged kids should get the same joyous day as the privileged,” he said. “I say: ‘Make the celebration equal for all children – rich or poor’.” Because of the efforts of so many, the Saturday morning Christmas celebration for 200 children and their families became a reality. More than 60 volunteers were ready when McAllen’s Elks Lodge doors opened. To do his part, the excited Santa actor donned his $500 Santa suit, added white bushy eyebrows, a full white beard, and a hat with a long white-haired wig (to cover his bald head), and then he let his playful side emerge. “I’m the person who can pull it off with the kids because I’m a big kid myself,” he said. “I play with the kids. With the one who cries. I play with the one who is happy, with the one kid who is not happy. I know how to treat them.” However, because of his terminal cancer diagnosis, Tripp isn’t always patient with those who didn’t immediately act on his plans to make Christmas special for as many children as he could. “Honestly, he was very pushy and ‘on me’ to make this event happen,” Milly said. After the event was over and the Lodge doors closed Saturday afternoon, she said she realized how much all of them had done in only three weeks. “I am proud and excited about how successful Santa’s Posada was,” she said. “I love Tripp for allowing me to be part of his vision.” According to Tripp, Milly is the person to make Santa’s Posada an annual event. He says that’s because he and Milly are Tasmanian devils with their fast and furious party planning. “It’s bing, bing, bing,” he said. “Then everything goes off without a hitch.” Each organization had a role to play to help the community. According to Eli, many local families are in need of food, so his motorcycle group made a donation and then contributed canned food and non-perishables to the event. “A lot of these kids weren’t asking much for toys or stuff,” Eli said. “It was more blankets, food, jackets, things like that.” It was the combined efforts of the groups that made a difference, according to Eli. “Many families won’t have a good Christmas,” he said. “Maybe [Santa’s Posada] is the only Christmas they’re going to have.” The motorcycle club leader felt all the volunteers gained from participating in the event. “Giving to those kids, seeing their smiling faces, and knowing they were happy made a difference for us, too,” Eli said. It was difficult for the children not to smile. Along with having their photos taken with Santa, the kids were treated by Elk Lodge members to lunch, as well as encouraged to join in the Elks’ cookie decorating activity, to make tree ornaments, and to play a variety of oversized games. There was much at the party for everyone. Some of the families’ needs were met when they received bags of food, blankets, and clothing. For children, ARVP and Elks Lodge “elves” provided crayons, children’s books, candy, crocheted caps, hair scrunchies, pencils, coloring books, spiral notebooks, and … a toy for every child. Helping with donations to buy SANTA From pg. 1 For days after Saturday’s party, Santa’s legs were black and blue from kids running up and smashing into him and climbing onto his lap. For Tripp, the bruises are a cherished sign that his Christmas wish has come true. (Photo by Dennis Zanetti) Milly Hernandez, McAllen Elk Lodge #1402 Exalted Ruler. (Photo by Dennis Zanetti)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTczOTk5Mg==