PLANT CITY, Fla. — A year ago, Thalia Soloman came from Guatemala with her two children to join her relatives.
As Christmas nears this year, a new challenge faces the 22-year-old mother: how to buy Christmas gifts for their children.
That’s why a local group called Colectivo Árbol and more than a dozen Hispanic volunteers joined forces this week to help families and mothers like Soloman by providing toys and clothes as well as food for Christmas dinner.
“It is a blessing to receive this kind of help because life is difficult,’ said Soloman. “This Christmas will be better than the previous ones.”
“Our greatest satisfaction this Christmas season is to see our community united, and our children with smiles on their faces,” said Isaret Jeffers, founder of Colectivo Árbol. “We want to make them feel happier than ever.”
One of those kids was Isaac, 4, who along with her mother, Beatriz Urbina, enjoyed a morning of music, face painting and traditional holiday cookies. More than 200 families attended the Tuesday event, which was held next to a Plant City strawberry field.
A year ago Urbina, 26, came to the United States from the Mexican state of Guanajuato. Her husband is a farmworker but she said most of her husband’s salary goes to pay groceries and the $1,200 monthly rent on their mobile home.
After the coronavirus and the economic difficulties that followed, they need some support, she said.
“Any help is welcome,” Urbina said. “We make a lot of effort and work many hours, but sometimes it’s not enough.”
Hernan Cortes, a Kissimmee attorney who brought more than 50 toys, said Latinos and especially farmworkers had been particularly vulnerable during the pandemic. So he wanted to team up to help and bring some happiness.
“It is an honor to be a part of this effort to make Christmas brighter for our community,’’ said Cortes. “That’s why our solidarity is important.”
Another volunteer was Puerto Rican Josue Colon, pastor and founder of Bahia Vida Church, in Seffner. Colon joined the community event with a group of friends and members of his church to give away toys for kids such as Legos, puzzles, board games, dolls and clothes.
“We are proud to be able to give our support to the local community,” Colon said.
Another activity took place at Edward Medard Park supported by Rosa Palomares, who picked fruit and vegetables with her farmworker family before getting into business. Her older son, Luis, owns a car dealership and auto parts store in Plant City.
The family collected toys and donated gift bags, and they want to share the spirit of giving.
Palomares, 64, recalled when she was a young mother and worked from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Sunday and struggled to get groceries. She came from Mexico to work in the fields of Florida.
“As a mother, the priority is your children,” said Palomares. “That’s why we wanted to meet in this park with all these families so that they can enjoy our holiday giveaway.”
Virginia Ventura, 27, attended the event with her loved ones. She came to United States in the winter of 2015 with her husband Juan Luis Cruz and her newborn, Jessica.
Ventura said they are always struggling to make ends meet. Work leaves her little time and energy to do more for her daughter and her two other kids, Daisy, and Monserrat, 1 and 4.
“Having the opportunity to be here, as a family, is priceless,” said Ventura. “Our kids are happy, and for me, as a mother, it is the best gift they can give me.”
