Be Strong International Delights Kids with Holiday Presents

Be Strong International wasn’t going to let the COVID-19 pandemic place any further burden on parents who may be struggling financially. As a result, BSI’s first-ever Holiday Toy Drive is new initiative that delighted parents and children by providing wrapped gifts and a jolly, dancing Santa Claus at the South Point Crossing Apartments in Florida City, Florida, this past Friday.

“It felt so good to see my son receive gifts today,” said Luz Valentine, a resident at South Point Crossing Apartments. “He was excited to see Santa and how Be Strong International had turned the community center into the North Pole!”

More than 200 needy children between the ages of 3-13 received presents during BSI’s Holiday Toy Drive on December 11th from 2 to 4 p.m. Gift items included books, interactive games, sports equipment, arts and crafts kits, journal sets, play food and kitchen sets, science kits, bath products, action figures, toy trucks and cars, stuffed animals, and gift cards.

“It was an absolute honor to be a part of such an amazing event. At times, the children moved me to tears,” said Jesus Diaz-Aquino, a BSI staff member who dressed up as Santa for the event. “We truly don’t know who and how we impact our community. God is using us all to carry out his mission! I can confidently say that I had the most fun at the event!”

Santa could be seen having a merry time, taking pictures with children and their wrapped gifts at a socially safe distance, and directing them to a booth close by where they could receive milk and cookies as well as other goodies provided by Be Strong’s sponsors and partners.

Sponsors and partners that made the toy drive possible include the Honorable Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez, District 9 Commissioner Kionne McGhee, District 9 School Board member Luisa Santos, TD BANK, Florida Blue, Texas Roadhouse, Be the Light Ari Arteaga Foundation, The Manuel Real Estate Team, Five Below, and Pro Insurance Consultants.

“Our number one priority is to give back because we are very much a part of this community, and we care,” said Roberto Alonso, a representative at BlueCross Blue Shield. “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary service.”

During these challenging times, BSI has offered the gift of giving and service when the community needed it the most, including a school supply drive in August and a Thanksgiving food drive in November.

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Miami, FL – Be Strong International (BSI) has added two innovative new programs to its offering, including the latest that seeks to re-engage broken relationships in the community caused by social justice concerns over the last several years.

The Children’s Trust has awarded the Innovation Grant to BSI for its new Be Strong at the Table (BSATT) program. Beginning in 2021, the year-long program will feature two dinners in each of the five regions within Miami-Dade County. The dinner participants will include a mix of local families, youth and community leaders from different racial, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to address the issue of social injustice, all while dining together.

“The best part about this is that it is practical, and it has never been done in Miami,” said Juan Camargo, Special Projects and Outreach Liaison. “The secret of its success is that it leads to building meaningful relationships between groups of people who may never have interacted in a close setting.”

The dinners offer an opportunity for the participants to develop empathy and a drive to action. After the dinner, the challenge for the diners is to invite someone of another culture or religion to their home to likewise share a meal in order to develop further discourse and perhaps a personal relationship. This project will culminate in a documentary to be premiered for the community.

BSI has also been awarded a grant for its new “Marriage Matters” program. Last month, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it is awarding a grant of $749,000 to the organization. Congresswoman Donna Shalala (FL-27) issued the following statement after its award:

“Be Strong International has worked tirelessly to install positive youth development practices and social-emotional learning to equip young people with the tools they need to make better decisions about relationships, money, work, and family life. I am pleased they are being recognized and receiving funding to continue the important work they do in our community.”

Participants for these free programs will be selected from both a registration and selection process. BSATT is limited to 50 participants during the first year, and Marriage Matters seeks 80 local couples.

More details will be announced on the website and social media in the coming weeks.