Conexion December Web

A UNITED Emerald Coast!
By David Triana
SANTA CLAUS DOES EXIST…
and his name is Ramon!
By David Triana
If not for 100 miles or so, our area
now would be going through what our
neighbors to the east and northeast are
struggling with since October 10th!
If not for 100 miles, WE would be the
ones attempting to recover from the
devastation of our homes, businesses,
churches, schools and possibly, even
more than a month later, some of us
would still be without power or water,
others suddenly unemployed or living in
Tent/Tarp cities.
It is overwhelming to see or hear of
such conditions in our paradisiacal area,
but, very close to us, that is precisely
what is occurring! From tragedy, there
is always something good that can
happen. Depending on how we react to
that tragedy, it will make the difference,
either positive or negative, in our lives
and the lives of others around us.
We are blessed with a HUGE
NUMBER of charitable and generous
people, individuals willing to help their
friends, neighbors, and total strangers.
We are blessed with business owners
who are not just about the “mighty
dollar,” but also care deeply about their
community and understand it is that
community that makes it possible for
their businesses to succeed.
The response to the needs of those
affected by Hurricane Michael has once
again shown why the Emerald Coast
community, when it comes to caring for
others, has few equals throughout the
world. There are so many individuals,
businesses, civic groups, and
organizations that are giving of their
time and money to help.
I recently spent some time at a church
in Panama City that was heavily
damaged by the hurricane. How
incredible that, since a few days after
it got struck, and among its damaged
buildings, they are using their parking
lot and have established an impressive
system to provide much needed supplies
to the community around them! While
there, I got a chance to speak to some
volunteers manning the supply stations.
One group was from Crestview, another
from Niceville, and the third was from
Pensacola. Church members and others
from the immediate area were also
helping out. According to one of the
volunteers, “more than 3,000 people
were going through on a daily basis,”
and this was almost a month after the
hurricane!
My utmost respect to those of you
reading this, who as individuals,
business owners or leaders, have taken
the time to “do something to help.”
Many people in our nation think we are
a divided nation and to some extent I
agree. But I think our Emerald Coast
is an example of many regions that
our country can emulate. In the midst
of tragedy, we have once again shown
that generosity, charity, and UNITY are
better choices for a community to make.
I extend a personal thanks to Adron
Bailey of B’s Smoking BBQ,
Primerica’s Neil Tabot and his friend
Larry, to Rebecca Koelzer and other
businesses and persons, too many to
mention. Believe me, your generosity
has helped many in the Panama City
area and beyond.
GRACIAS… for being a part of our
UNITED Emerald Coast.
Christmas time is here! There are people
who “no longer believe” in Santa Claus,
but I do believe in him, for I have met
him! His name is Ramón González and
he lives in South Tucson, Arizona!
In 1970, seeing that the parents of the
children where he lived did not have
money to buy gifts at Christmas, it
occurred to Ramon that he could do
something for the children to receive
something that Christmas.
Ramon didn’t have a lot of money either,
but with what he had, he bought hot
dogs and other things and organized
a Christmas party and invited all the
families in his neighborhood. In addition
to the food, he made sure to buy some
toys for each child. It was that way, that
Santa Ramon, founded what is now known
as “Ramon’s Miracle on 31st Street” (or
Christmas in the Barrio).
For many years, the “party” that Santa
Ramon founded, has served more than
10.000 children every December and
Santa Ramon and his family, are the ones
that motivate that entire area of Arizona to
UNITE to ensure that low-income children
receive something at Christmas.
My wife and I had the honor of
volunteering at Ramon’s party for several
years while we were at the Davis-Monthan
Air Force Base in Tucson.
In 2005, along with several
kind-hearted people, we
founded in Fort Walton
Beach, a party inspired
by Ramon’s “miracle”
in Tucson. This party
is called “The Emerald
Coast Christmas Miracle”
and this December 16th,
the 14th edition of it
will take place. See the
announcement on the main
page of this edition for
more details and help us
get word out to low-income
families in our area.
The purpose of the party is
to give everyone who goes,
especially children, the
opportunity to just have a
good time and so that lowincome
families can enjoy
a merry Christmas!
There are thousands of
children in need in our area, countless
families who simply do not have the
means to give their children gifts during
Christmas. Our organization, through the
party, gives us, and gives you, the chance
to be SANTA CLAUS!
We invite you to be part of this great
work, join UNITED for a GOOD CAUSE
INC., even if it’s just for that day of the
party. You can volunteer or donate a toy
or funds.
Santa Claus DOES EXIST, Santa is “in
You” and all those people who from the
heart, care about their neighbor, the people
who during this Christmas time DECIDE
to do something for others and especially
for children and low-income families.
Families who, without you, SANTA XXX,
would not have the opportunities that
many of us have.
Go to Facebook or the website to see
videos, photos and more information
about previous years parties and other
major projects that the organization leads:
www.unitedforagoodcause.org
God bless you and have a very happy,
happy, very Merry Christmas!
“He who has not Christmas in his heart
will never find it under a tree.”
- Roy L. Smith
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