A visit with Santa, toys, hot chocolate, and cookies made for a special day for an estimated 300 children.

Thanks to the generosity of the community, Fresno City Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria and State Center trustee Annalisa Perea distributed toys and food at the San Joaquin Estates in west Fresno to 64 families on Tuesday.

Other related events, meanwhile, provided toys and food for 170 more children on Tuesday.

“We want you to know that Fresno loves you,” Soria told the families gathered at San Joaquin Estates to meet jolly old St. Nick.

Christmas for Unhoused Children

Soria said the event delivered Christmas cheer for those in community without a home of their own.

“This year we picked unhoused kids and kids that haven’t had the opportunity to be blessed through either Toys for Tots or other holiday giving,” Soria said.

The Jane Addams Community Development Corporation also pitched in.

“For me, the Christmas season is the season of giving and getting together with family, and that’s what we want to give these families. We want to give them the opportunity to feel like they can also celebrate, even though their circumstances may limit them financially,” Soria said.