CASA Charity Food Basket Distribution 2013

For the past 5 years The Coronado Area Social Association (CASA) has fundraised throughout the year to provide food baskets for poor families with handicapped children. This year was no exception. On January 6th 2013 CASA distributed food baskets to families in the San Carlos area. Fundraising for the baskets takes a lot of time, planning and organization. Long hours were dedicated to the cause by CASA board members and volunteers. This year fundraising efforts included a spaghetti dinner and an auction of prizes donated by local businesses at the CASA Craft Sale. Funds were also donated privately by several individuals, including a local poker group. HIM hardware donated non-perishable food items, Mailboxes Etc. donated reusable bags, and gift certificates to purchase food items were donated by J2L Seguros and PTY Lawyers.

Once the food was purchased and the bags filled, CASA decided to do something special. Since the distribution was set to happen on Epiphany (the day of the 3 kings), the group made paper crowns and decorated each one with glitter, glue, stars and stickers. About ninety crowns were made in preparation for the morning of the 6th.

On the morning of January 6th we rounded up volunteers to pick up the bags and headed over to San Carlos. There we met Maribel, a local activist who hosts this event annually in her home. Each year Maribel invites families in need and who have handicapped children to come to her home to receive their basket. We arrived at her home and met the group already gathered, waiting to start the party.

We had so much to do: Distribute donated candy and plush toys, give out the pictures from last year's event, distribute the food baskets, and crown each smiling child. Maribel provided cake, juice and even more gifts for the kids. There were a lot smiles including some happy faces that we recognized from past Christmases, along with many new ones. We even had our own little elf dancing with the kids!

CASA wants to thank everyone that was involved in making this the best day ever! See the pictures below, some will make you laugh, some will make you smile, but all will make you realize that there is a need... and we need to fill it!