For almost 30 years, Anita Street Market has made miracles happen for hundreds of kids.
On the day before Christmas, Santa visits and toys abound. Joy overflows.
But this year, Gracie Soto is worried. They need more toys.
Soto is the granddaughter of Anita Street Market founders — the late Mario Soto and his wife Grace. She grew up around the miracle.
Since the death of her grandfather eight years ago, Gracie Soto has been increasingly helping her grandmother with Miracle in Barrio Anita.
To put on the celebration, the family collects money and toys from the community and uses their own funds.
"It's toys that we are needing this year," says Soto, adding that the market has already received some financial donations this year, but no toys.
At the party, all the kids get at least one toy. If there are enough, everyone gets to cycle through a second time.
Beyond the presents pass, the holiday festivities include hot dogs, goody bags, free haircuts, jumping castles, mariachi music and a low-rider caravan carrying Santa Claus in her late grandfather's '64 Chevy truck.
"If, God forbid, we were ever to have no toys, at least they know they don't leave empty-handed," Soto says. "They have a haircut, food — we will do the best we can, but we can't always save everybody."
That's where the community steps in.
Soto plans to set up drop boxes for toys at several other business, including the mobile barber shop Savage Cutz, Fantasy's Hair Shop, 3832 S. Sixth Ave., and Watson Chevrolet, 625 W. Auto Mall Drive. And obviously you can drop toys off at Anita Street Market, 849 N. Anita Ave.
Watson Chevrolet is sponsoring the event, Soto says.
Collecting about 2,000 toys would be ideal. So far, they have two large garbage bags of toys left over from last year — probably no more than 100 toys, Soto says. A patron of the business has already put out a call on Facebook to rally donations.
Soto asks that people remember babies and teenagers if they donate.
"Since I was little, I have helped to pack the bags of candy with an apple and an orange," to hand out at the event, says Soto. Throughout the year, she gives her tips to Grace Soto, who then puts them toward stuffing the goody bags with treats.
Now her 8-year-old son helps out as she once did.
"It's not just for the kids from the neighborhood," Soto says. "I think that's what a lot of people think. ... It's for anybody who needs a toy. "
