News Library
Hispanic celebration brings seasonal joy to needy children
Published on January 7, 2008
Author: Louise Continelli - NEWS STAFF REPORTER
© The Buffalo News Inc.
It's called Three Kings Day, or Dia de los Reyes in Spanish.
And Sunday's Three Kings Celebration, or the Feast of the Epiphany, was a royal event indeed, "with the best toys available for needy children," says Andres Garcia, co-chairman of the party that took place in the D'Youville College Student Center, Porter and Fargo avenues. It'll be a quarter-century next year that area Hispanic leaders have sponsored the fest highlighted by the dramatic appearance of the "Three Kings," evoking the biblical story of the rich gifts given to the baby Jesus by a trio of Eastern "Wise Men," led by the brightest star to Bethlehem. As a youngster growing up in Puerto Rico, Garcia wouldn't forget Three Kings Day, even though sometimes "we might have only received a few cookies or hand-made toys," during those impoverished times. He knows the pain of being poor, walking without shoes until he was 8 years old. But need in Buffalo as well has grown over the years "with unemployment," says Garcia -- from the children of a few dozen families years ago, to the hundreds of kids who showed up in Sunday afternoon's mild weather to receive gift bags and sweets from the "Wise Men," or Magi. "We also want to maintain our culture," adds Garcia, whose wife, Ellen, was co-chairwoman along with Mady-ly Russi. "This extends the holidays, too," Andres Garcia says. Three Kings Day is not new to Latino culture by any means, he points out. Epiphany comes from the Greek word for apparition, and it's the oldest church-calender festival. Through Mexico, fiestas feature the adoration by the Magi, boys and girls dress as shepherds and shepherdesses. In Portugal, there are also special dances. This feast, observed Jan. 6, is also known as Twelfth Night because of its date in relation to Christmas -- for many the way to end the season in style before the Christmas decorations come down. Some presents Sunday were grand, like bicycles, and then there were the food vouchers for many grateful families. And there was also a computer, small appliances and electronics distribution through a free raffle at the program. Live traditional Latino holiday music fired up the seasonal spirit with conga rhythms, and at least one young mother confided that the Three Kings Celebration "made up for a pretty poor Christmas," as her kids squealed with delight at the festivities. A magician and face-painting rounded out the program. This celebration was sponsored by the WNY Hispanics and Friends Civic Association in conjunction with the WNY Holiday Partnership. Major contributors included the Buffalo General Hospital Employee Friendship Fund, Buffalo Teachers Federation, The News Neediest Fund, D'Youville College, Fidelis Health Care, Hispanic Women's League, Hispanics United of Buffalo; Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, D-Buffalo; Joseph McDonald, M&T Bank, People Inc., Tops Markets and United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. Planning for the event started long before Christmas. "It's a lot of work," Garcia says, "but it's worth it to see the faces of the children, to see the happiness." The message of the Magi means more than just presents. "It means," Garcia says, "we care." e-mail: lcontinelli@buffnews.comDerek Gee/Buffalo News
King Merchor, played by Juan Texidor, offers candy to Tania Cordero, 8, at
Sunday's Three Kings Celebration.
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