Christmas Party at Jardines del Rio

On December 16, a tree lighting ceremony was held, as one of two events to not just to celebrate Christmas but to begin a new tradition at the Jardines del Río project. According to one of the participants, this event is good for the community since “it takes a community to raise a child.” Actually he remembered that this is how Costa Rica used to be and is happy to see it is coming back, but for now let’s call it a new tradition.

As Zipy arrived, the last cul de sac was all roped off, chairs set up under the canopy for the families, a table set up for face painting and the inflatable fun houses including a water slide were set in the back. Dowglas Espinoza, one of the organizers, was organizing the speakers leaving the Villa Nueva principal, Juan Espinoza to emcee the event. Jenny, Steven, and Angie, who was dressed in a blue Santa suit, from the Fuerza Publica took charge of the face painting for the afternoon, while Guiselle Naranjo, another key organizer, was directing the volunteers, Marylin, Angie, Arlene, Emilie and Lillian. Soon after, the chairs were filled with children and parents and the festivities were set to begin. 

Juan took the helm to welcome everyone and to introduce the first guest. Señor Alvarez wished the best to all especially the children. He continued by stating that the rest of the families will be moving in this January. He encouraged the adults to keep their doors open to the children and hopes that Jardines del Río will have a true community spirit. When Dowglas spoke, he thanked the government of Costa Rica in bringing the families together and asked the community to think outside the box, to help each other, and then stated “with faith we can move mountains.” He told the children to have a great time, play safe, and celebrate Christmas. As the children were eager to get playing, Juan divided them into groups and had a dance contest. It was neck to neck and in the end it was a tie with everyone winning with a good laugh and many smiles.

Soon after the speeches resumed and Juan asked Guiselle to speak. Gracious Guiselle thanked all the volunteers, parents, and Zipy for making this event possible. Zipy asked Zina to speak on his behalf. She spoke of the Ask Zipy team's gratitude of working with Guiselle to help to bring the community together and to begin a new tradition of Christmas celebrations. She explained that Ask Zipy’s role is to help businesses and communities establish a presence in the marketplace. She closed by thanking Guiselle and Dowglas for letting Zipy be part of this wonderful Christmas celebration and meeting many  great people. Eric Cordero, assistant mayor, wished all the best for the holidays and felt blessed to be part of the celebration. The last to speak was, Jesusito the Clown, aka Carlos, who talked about public safety, said an opening prayer, and announced that now the party could begin! 

All the children dispersed. The younger ones lined up to have their faces painted while the older children lined up at the fun houses. Dowglas brought the hose out and the kids lined up to go on the waterslide. Dowglas took charge of the games, like potato sack races, lemon in spoon races, and a tug-a-war. Even the adults got into the games, all laughing and having plain. old fashioned fun. Zipy took pictures with his new and old friends, Melvin made snow cones for everyone, and Guiselle and her crew set up to serve lunch.

When everyone was hungry, they lined up to be served lunch, smallest children first. Guiselle and her crew were extremely well organized and accomplished the deed in no time. While in line, people chatted, laughed, and enjoyed taking more pictures with Zipy. 

Once everyone was full and happy, the moment everyone was waiting for happened, Santa came with gifts. When Santa, Ask Zipy team member, Saul Cantillano, came out everyone flocked around him to take pictures. The gifts were wrapped, tagged, and ready to be distributed by the new community Christmas tree. Dowglas was the gate keeper, allowing only babies and small children to come first, get their gifts and have a picture taken with Santa. The rest of the children stood quietly anticipating their names being called to get their gift.

By seven o’clock, all the children had their gifts. Some ran home with their treasures but some couldn’t wait and tore the wrapper off and played with their toys on the spot. There was nothing but happy children and parents everywhere. Even the older kids got in on the excitement and had their pictures taken with Santa. Several of the older children helped to organize the younger ones. Soon after, many went home and the adult party was set to begin. Some honored guests arrived and the older community members came to join. Dowglas made some speeches and then asked for all the volunteers to come up in front of the audience. He asked one of the honored guests, Carlos Calvo, to come up and presented him with a gift from the community and a book that he wrote on the history of Quepos. He then thanked Guiselle, the volunteers and the Ask Zipy team for making this celebration a reality and a beginning of a tradition.  Before leaving Guiselle presented Zipy with a gift of a Christmas mug with his name on it. Everyone thanked Zipy and the tired little sloth went home, happy that the event was a great success.

Throughout the afternoon, Zipy had an opportunity to speak with many of the attendees of the celebration.  Juan, the emcee, is a principle and a Spanish professor in Villa Nueva, previously in Manuel Antonio, who has a side business, Fiesta Total Eventos, hosting parties and special events and working with different communities. Melvin Lopez and his wife Evelyn, run a shop from their home, selling chips, freeze pops, candy, ice cream, chocolate bananas, some fast foods and on Saturdays they serve pancakes in the community. Melvin is also a local handyman and Jack of all trades, who made the beautiful Christmas tree frame for the event.

In speaking with Carlos the clown, Zipy learned that he is a taxi driver and during his spare time he is learning the art of being a clown. He also stated that he has been working with people in the homeless community and those with addictions. With the support of HAVA he plans to bring food and religion to the Quepos homeless, starting in January every Tuesday at 11:30 in Quepos Park. He hopes to have a drop in center one day.  Zipy spoke with Melba, one of the moms who worked hard on the decorating of the Christmas tree. She shared that for the past year and a half, she’s been working at Palma Tica, collecting the palm oil stocks, bagging them and dropping them off in the carts. A hard job, her being one of two women in her crew carrying the 40-50 kilo sacks hundreds of meters in all conditions. She told Zipy that she was happy to have a home for her and her children.

Zipy noticed a father standing beside his two sons waiting in line for the funhouse. Carlos, a tour guide, said that this event is great. When asked if he lives at Jardines, he stated that his boys live here with their mother. He went on by talking about the energy boys have and how important it is to redirect them from drugs and alcohol and have clean fun. He shared that he hopes to start a soccer team at the project and supports community efforts.  

On behalf of Jardines del Río, Zipy would like to thank you, the larger community of Quepos Canton, for coming together and donating money and time to make this event possible to begin a new tradition of helping to raise local children in a safe environment. 

 PHOTOS with Santa

Log in to post a comment