For Immediate Release: December 1, 2021
Media Contact: Maria Landron | [email protected]
Royal Palm Beach Resident Helps Refugee and Immigrant Children Have a Magical Holiday Season
ROYAL PALM BEACH, FL – Maria Landron, the Royal Palm resident who led The Village of Royal Palm Beach through a historical Census response, has kicked-off a holiday toy drive to benefit local refugee and immigrant children.
The 22-year-old who was named one of Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Women of Distinction scholars earlier this year said “I remember my first Christmas in the United States. It can be so difficult for families who come here with nothing, or who are forced to leave their homes. A lot of kids who migrate, especially under excruciating circumstances, grow up too soon. Every child deserves to experience being a kid and receiving a toy to play with can help with that.”
Landron’s goal is to collect over 500 toys, clothing items, and other gifts for children. The drive is being completed in partnership with PBA CKI, a college service-leadership organization supported by the West Palm Beach Kiwanis Club.
A majority of the toys will be donated to the Esperanza Community Center, serving the Northwood area of West Palm Beach. The facility serves over 100 children and their families during the holiday season. The center’s services include adult literacy, English as Second Language classes, education on wage theft prevention, and immigration experts. Throughout the pandemic, Esperanza worked to educate workers and their families about how to stay safe, and has vaccinated over 300 migrants in West Palm Beach.
To donate to the toy drive please visit the Amazon wishlist. Those interested in supporting the Esperanza Community Center can donate on the nonprofit’s website.
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ABOUT ESPERANZA COMMUNITY CENTER:
Founded in 2019, the Esperanza Community Center’s mission is to empower Northwood day laborers and families to thrive. Esperanza offers 7 programs, focusing their work on adult education, wage theft, food and nutrition, and healthcare. The Center serves on the City of West Palm Beach’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.