Fresno County migrant family received an early Christmas cheer
.JPG "Isela Molina smiles as her 1-year-old Yetzali Ayala (center) takes a close look at Santa during the 2023 Migrant Family Christmas event that took place at Firebaugh High School library on Dec. 13.")
Isela Molina couldn’t stop smiling as her four children – ages 10 to 1-year-old – each received and opened a present from Santa.
“I feel very happy, more than anything. Thank you very much to all,” said Molina in Spanish.
Christmas came early for Molina and her children as the family was selected for the 2023 Migrant Family Christmas that took place at Firebaugh High School library on Dec. 13. The event brought joy, many gifts and surprises for the children and mother.
The annual event is hosted by staff from the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Migrant Education Program, Region IV where staff from both the migrant program and the school district from the honoree family shared not only Christmas carols but also a meal with the honorees.
A migrant family is chosen annually among the 23 Fresno County school districts the migrant program serves.
Three of Molina’s children – firth-grader Emily Ayala, 10, second-grader Ariana Ayala, 8 and kindergartner Damaris Ayala, 5 - are students in the Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District.
.JPG "MIGRANT-CHRISTMAS_12-13-24-MOB (3).JPG")
.JPG "MIGRANT-CHRISTMAS_12-13-24-MOB (4).JPG")
“We are celebrating one very fortunate family from Firebaugh,” said Rubén V. Castillo, executive director of educational programs. “
Castillo said the celebration is possible through collaborative efforts and partnerships between the superintendent’s office, school districts, and community organizations such as the Moreno Institute and the Educational Employees Credit Union.
“We are bringing them some holiday cheer,” Castillo said. “We wish the kids a great and merry Christmas and show them that we care for them, and we love them. We don’t know them personally, but we know they are part of our community.”
Not only did Santa arrive with a sleigh full of gifts for each of the four children and Molina, but the family also received a Christmas tree with decorations and enjoyed dinner with the staff.
“I am very happy, very grateful for this great surprise for my children. More than anything for my girls who are happy,” Molina said.
When Molina received the news, “I was surprised.”
.JPG "MIGRANT-CHRISTMAS_12-13-24-MOB (5).JPG")
.JPG "MIGRANT-CHRISTMAS_12-13-24-MOB (6).JPG")
Molina said she got a call from the district migrant clerk Mayela Delgado who “told me that they had selected us as a family for this great surprise. And yes, I was very happy.”
The migrant program provides services to about 6,500 students in Fresno County, according to the superintendent’s office.
“This particular event is an opportunity for our migrant program to extend a little more fully into a particular family to help them understand our commitment to support their children. Not only through the educational experience, but really through the entire family strengthening process,” said Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher, superintendent.
“This event touches my heart because when you help a child experience the joys of the holiday season, it fast tracks their trust process and their understanding that school is synonymous with their success and fun and joy and family and all the good things that come with being well educated and having a bright future,” said Cantwell-Copher.
.JPG "MIGRANT-CHRISTMAS_12-13-24-MOB (8).JPG")
.JPG "MIGRANT-CHRISTMAS_12-13-24-MOB (9).JPG")
.JPG "MIGRANT-CHRISTMAS_12-13-24-MOB (1).JPG")
.JPG "MIGRANT-CHRISTMAS_12-13-24-MOB (2).JPG")
.JPG "MIGRANT-CHRISTMAS_12-13-24-MOB (7).JPG")
This story was originally published December 15, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
