POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Two Bay area women have a mission this Christmas. They are working to bring holiday cheer to children whose lives have been affected by deportation.
From baby dolls to toy cars, every inch of this room is filled with toys — toys that Grizayda Delgado has collected for children of immigrant parents.
“We wanted to bring a smile to all the children because, despite what’s happening, the children are not at fault,” she said.
Delgado said that after seeing families affected by recent deportations and stricter immigration policies, she wanted to do something extra for them this year.
She went to several homes and came up with a gift list for more than 200 children. She said that some of the families are facing hardships.
“There are families that have been months without working,” Delgado said.
The Department of Homeland Security reports that more than 2.5 million immigrants have left the U.S. and that more than 600,000 of those have been deported.
Earlier this month, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin released a statement saying in part, “Illegal aliens are hearing our message to leave now. They know if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return.”
Grizayda said the rise in immigration enforcement has affected people in Polk County.
That’s why she and Aidalina Plaza are helping to support children who have been affected.
“It feels good to be able to help someone, and just to see that smile in that little kid’s face after everything that they’re going through, there’s no words,” Plaza said.
The women aren’t only collecting toys. They said that people have also donated food and clothing. They plan to keep working to help these kids beyond the holiday season.
Right now, the women say they need of items for teenagers and will be accepting those donations until Wednesday.
They’ll be delivering those gifts Christmas morning, and you can reach Plaza at (813) 704-7959 if you’d like more information.
Lizbeth Gutierrez
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