(2016, $275, San Isidro) On Christmas Day, 2016, Santa arrived for the very first time at San Isidro, one of the remote locations badly affected by the Ecuador Earthquake of April. I had bought the suit and some fake snow to bring, and then bought the ingredients to make 150 caramelo gifts for each of the kids that would come to the Sunday Christmas morning Mass. I came with a spiritual message of healing, seeing as it was a very difficult year. Not only that, but the memory of Christmas Eve of 2010, when over 20 residents died as their bus fell off a cliff, had been haunting the community. The kids had a great time with the snow, with their gifts, and the chance to meet Santa. And it gave a lift to their parent, too.
