Samaritan Santa

Last weekend, despite the chilly, drizzly weather, Janie Perez and her family hitched up their ‘sleigh’ to deliver toys to local neighborhoods in San Marcos. Perez’ son, Alexander Jaramillo, dressed up as Santa for the toy distribution, complete with a COVID-safe face mask beneath his curly, snow-white beard.

The toy delivery, which took place on Saturday and Sunday of last week, was organized by Perez with the help of her daughter, Maria Jaramillo, who posted notifications to area families about Santa’s distribution route via the San Marcos Local News Facebook page.

“The whole Santa-through-the-neighborhoods was kind of a spontaneous idea I threw at my poor son,” Perez said. “He has been so sweet playing Santa. We had so much fun going through all the neighborhoods.”

In addition to the toy delivery, Perez and Alexander have been doing free Santa photos as another gift giveaway for the community.

“We are truly blessed to be able to do this, especially during these difficult times,” Perez said. “I lost my job due to the pandemic, but thankfully we are financially stable that I didn't have to worry. I know, however, that wasn't the case for others. I didn't want any child missing out on Santa.”

Perez has been an active member of the San Marcos community. She was instrumental in starting the Little Lambs Diaper Bank, has been involved in a prom dress giveaway, has served as an outreach coordinator for the homeless, and provides breakfast, lunch and clothing with other members of her church, El Buen Pastor. In October, she held a pumpkin patch outside her home so that families could get photos of their children with pumpkins.

“That went really well,” Perez said. “Fast forward to December, and I just thought that offering pictures with Santa would make many people happy. I just love seeing people happy.”

The weekend’s toy distribution generated a great deal of excitement on the Facebook page with comments like, “The kids are so excited,” and “Thank you for doing this,” as families followed Santa’s progress through the designated neighborhoods.

Though most of the toys delivered came from Perez and her family, Perez herself did not advertise their part in the toy drive itself. In fact, had it not been for an anonymous tip from one of Perez' friends, the toy delivery might have gone unrecognized except by those who participated. During the interview, Perez admitted she was somewhat flustered at the attention.

“I never do any of these things to get my name out there or to brag,” Perez said. “That’s not me. I just really love helping people. My dad used to tell me tha was my purpose on earth.”

It’s a legacy she has passed down to her children as well. Alexander and Maria, a sophomore and a senior at San Marcos High School, were integral members of the Santa toy drive operation that brought joy to so many San Marcos families over the weekend.

“...I just thought that offering pictures with Santa would make many people happy. I just love seeing people happy.”

– Janie Perez