*This was written in 2004 and I feel now is a good time to share it again.

On Saturday, December 11th, members of the Temecula Sister City Association joined with an awesome group of Murrieta Rotarians to embark on a journey into Mexico. For several weeks prior, these organizations joined in a common humanitarian quest: to make Christmas happy for over two hundred students at Juan Escutia Elementary School and numerous young girls who live in the Salvatierra Orphanage, in Tecate.

The task was a challenge because so many worthy groups were also collecting toys for local children and beyond. It was heartwarming to see the outpouring of support from our community.  One group of anonymous students even had fund-raisers in order to raise money to purchase the items on the Mexican children's wish lists. The wanted items varied from simple, necessary items like deodorant and flannel sheets to baby dolls and walkman radios.  Through generosity and determination, everyone's wish seemed to come true.
Until this joint venture, Rotary was rather mysterious to me. What I found was the most caring group of people and interesting information about this great club. Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world.

The main objective of Rotary is service in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self.

The Temecula Sister City Association's primary goal is to encourage the understanding of each other as individuals and as members of the family of nations. Their mission is achieved by facilitating cultural, academic and economic exchanges that bridge the community of Temecula and our sister cities to enrich business relationships and friendships, and foster mutual respect.
What we discovered in Mexico were happy, thankful children who welcomed us into their lives and really enjoyed the numerous visitors there to share in an early Christmas celebration. Santa came with candy and unlimited, Ho Ho Hos. The presents seemed endless and the adults witnessing all of it, saw the holiday through the eyes of children.

These two very separate and unique groups were able to effortlessly join and bring smiles to the faces of children, bridge cultural and economic differences and return to their childhood for one sunny, delightful afternoon in Mexico.