Sin Fronteras toy drive helps immigrant children

Local immigrant advocacy group Sin Fronteras pulled off another successful toy drive this year, bringing much needed holiday joy to undocumented families in need. The organization – headed up by Jose and Vannesa Gonzalez – was able to bring donated toys to 170 children. However, due to COVID, the event looked a little different than in years past.

This year, they reached out to the community directly to ask the children to write letters saying what they would like for Christmas. Jose Gonzalez said that “there were some children who would ask in the letters, ‘could you get my mom more work, Santa Claus?’ or ‘could you help us get more money, Santa Claus?’ It’s heartbreaking and it’s the same reason we’re doing this: we want to give back to the [undocumented] community. We know this is important.”

He explained that one of the biggest hardships for undocumented families is the fact that they don’t qualify for any federal assistance during this time when it is needed most. “In the first round of stimulus checks that went out, [undocumented immigrant] families were not included,” he explained, noting that the second stimulus package currently waiting President Donald Trump’s signature probably won’t include help for the families either.

“This is why we’ve been trying to support them with financial assistance,” pointed out Gonzalez. He said that families have been reaching out to let them know about

their situations, including eviction and utility disconnection notices. Gonzalez said it is their goal to be there to show families “how to maneuver and how to manage all these crises”.

Due to the nature of the times, Vannesa Gonzalez said that they had a higher demand than they anticipated. “We first started by trying to support 120 [children], but we added 50 more based on the demand,” she said.

The Gonzalez’ have been swamped since the pandemic began, but they don’t mind. “Our motivation is helping the people. That’s in my nature. I have the passion, the heart. I can relate to them because I know the struggles. My family has been there,” said Jose Gonzalez.

As for the future of Sin Fronteras and undocumented families in Taos, Gonzalez says he hopes that the federal goverment will put together a package that will help all families, especially those that are undocumented. “We’re hoping with the new administration some of these things might change. I’m feeling very hopeful.”

MORGAN TIMMS/Taos News Jose Gonzalez, of Sin Fronteras Nuevo México, hands out presents to a family Sunday (Dec. 20) at the Enos Garcia Elementary School parking lot. “Our motivation is helping the community,” Gonzalez said. “I can relate to them because I know their struggles. My family has been there.”

Dressed as a COVID-19safe Santa, Jose Gonzalez helps sort dozens of Christmas presents Sunday (Dec. 20) in the Enos Garcia Elementary School parking lot. Jose and his partner, Vannesa Gonzalez, organized a toy drive for Taos’ undocumented immigrant community through their advocacy group, Sin Fronteras Nuevo México. During the drive-by gift collection event, the pair handed out 170 presents to about 90 families.

MORGAN TIMMS/Taos News Jose Gonzalez hands Christmas presents to the littlest member of the Vargas family on Sunday (Dec. 20) during a toy drive he and his partner, Vannesa Gonzalez, organized for the undocumented immigrant community.

Jose Gonzalez wheels a bike past the dozens of presents Sunday (Dec. 20) at the Enos Garcia parking lot.