Thank you, from Black Santa

Community,

I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the 2nd Annual Black Santa on Welton St. event such a success.

Over the past three days, we have had the joy of spreading holiday cheer by giving toys to children across Denver, and it is all thanks to the support of our wonderful community. We were able to support over 500 children in Northeast Denver, and it is truly heartwarming to see the reactions and hear what seeing a Santa that looks like them meant to them.

I would like to especially highlight the following individuals and organizations who played a crucial role in making this event a reality: LaKeshia & Joel Hodge and the Struggle of Love Foundation, Wanda L. James and Simply Pure, the Families Forward Resource Center, Mile High Comics, brother jeff Fard, Denver School Board Director Scott Esserman, Hashim Coates, Colorado State Representative and next Mayor of Denver Leslie Herod, Sandy Robnett, LaRae Baca, Vashti Danette, Denver Clerk and Recorder Paul López, and everyone around the Denver-Metro Area who donated toys and money to keep this event going.

I also want to thank all of our volunteers for their hard work and dedication in making this event possible. Your efforts are deeply appreciated and we couldn’t have done it without you.

I want to stress the importance of diversity in figures like Santa, and how meaningful it is for Black children to be able to meet a Santa who looks like them. The importance of diversity in figures like Santa cannot be overstated, and it is so important for Black children to be able to see themselves represented in this way. It is so important for Black children to be able to interact with a Santa who looks like them and represents their culture. This event helps to foster a sense of belonging and representation for these children, and I am so grateful to everyone who has helped make this possible.

This is such a special and meaningful event, and I am so grateful to brother jeff’s Cultural Center for hosting it for the last two years. We look forward to continuing this tradition next year and making it even bigger and better.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Sincerely,

Black Santa