Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In celebration of Dia de los Magos Reyes (Three Kings Day) volunteers from the International Friendship Club (IFC) partnered with Toys For Tots Puerto Vallarta to bring smiles to children in the greater Banderas Bay area.
The day started with coffee and hot chocolate along with Rosca de Reyes, or ‘King’s Cake’, at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta. After loading toys into a multiple vehicles, 13 caravans departed for destinations from San Sebastián to Boca de Tomatlán. By the end of the day, 64 schools (kindergartens) were visited and 4,640 children had received from the kings.
It takes a village and Toys For Tots Vallarta once again made the dreams of many local children come true.
Celebrated annually in January, Three Kings Day is a celebration that commemorates the Biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child. According to the story, the Three Kings – Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar – presented the Baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Traditionally in Mexico, Three Kings Day is the gift-giving time, rather than Christmas day.
Toys for Tots worldwide was founded in 1947 by the United States Marine Corps in California to help address the tough times associated with the post-war chaos of Europe and elsewhere around the globe.
The International Friendship Club is a registered charitable organization in Mexico, listed as Club Internacional de la Amistad de Puerto Vallarta AC. The majority of IFC members are English-speaking residents and visitors who volunteer their time, homes or money to help kids around the Bay of Banderas. The clubhouse is located at the northeast corner of the Rio Cuale Bridge above the HSBC Bank, Colonia El Centro, Puerto Vallarta. Phone: 322-222-5466. Website: ifcvallarta.org Email: ifcvallarta(at)gmail.com
