Miracle En El Barrio's massive toy giveaway happens Friday

No matter the weather, Tucsonans will celebrate Miracle En El Barrio presented by NOVA Home Loans from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22 at St. John’s Church, 602 W. Ajo Way.

Over the past two decades, the party and toy giveaway has distributed toys to about 40,000 kids, many whom otherwise would not have received a toy for Christmas, according to Steve Nuñez, who co-founded the event with Jon Volpe, Chairman of the Board and Owner of NOVA Home Loans.

“Miracle En El Barrio presented by NOVA Home Loans has grown into a huge community event. Everyone understands that no matter how many toys we collect, what really matters is getting people involved. That is the spirit of Miracle. Jon always says, ‘Giving is contagious,’ and I would add that we give kids the greatest gift of all: Love. We all want to be acknowledged and feel that we are significant and that is the gift we are giving these kids,” Nuñez said.

A Loan Officer for NOVA Home Loans, Nuñez teamed up with Volpe to start Miracle En El Barrio when a long-standing toy giveaway, Miracle on 31st Street, was forced to move from its original location in South Tucson.

“Ramon Gonzales did Miracle on 31st Street and I covered it when I was a reporter at KGUN-9. Every year, by some miracle, Ramon got toys donated and was able to provide for the kids. That story always touched my heart. When Ramon had to move his event out of South Tucson, Jon and I knew we needed to do something to help fill the void,” Nuñez said.

The mission is also personal for the founders, both of whom came from humble beginnings and grew up in Tucson.

“Jon and I both know that feeling of waking up on Christmas morning without any toys,” Nunez said.

He credits Gonzales and others mentors in his life for providing positive affirmations that made him realize he could achieve his dreams.

“What I loved about Ramon was that he never stopped: He kept going. That really inspired us to make sure we give kids hope,” Nuñez said.

Nuñez and Volpe followed Gonzales’ example. They gathered friends, family and colleagues to help with the first Miracle En El Barrio, which was held in the parking lot of Fry’s Food on 16th Avenue. They collected 500 toys and 700 children showed up.

“We ran out of toys, so me and Paul Volpe, Jon’s brother, ran to CVS and bought out all the toys. We raced back across the street and made sure every child got a toy. We knew then we had to step up our game,” Nuñez said.

Nuñez give kudos to the many factions of the community who come together to make the event possible. Over the years, Miracle En El Barrio has grown into the largest Christmas toy giveaway organized by local businesses. Staged now at the park adjacent to St. John’s Church, partners include Pyramid Federal Credit Union; Chick-fil-A at El Con Mall; Peter Piper Pizza; Eegee’s; Charro Foods; TMI International; Micha’s Restaurant; General Dentistry for Kids; La Frontera; Big Lots; and many more. Numerous local realtors and real estate companies — including REAL Properties and EXP Realty Real Gratitude Team — also support the event, as does Pioneer Title and Stewart Title & Trust. Sunnyside Unified School District also contributes.

Nonprofits step up as well: The Arizona Bowl Blue Blazers hold an annual toy drive and gift bowl tickets to volunteers and families.

Additionally, Nuñez spearheaded a Comedy for Charity Show with the support of O’Malley’s Bar & Grill that recently raised $3,500 for the cause.

Artists in the community provide entertainment, including Master Mixx DJs by Michael Lopez; and Milagro In The Hood led by Rick Hernandez and The Festival Band known for Tejano, R & B more. Jaime Valenzuela will bring Mariachi Las Aguilitas De Davis. Roskruge Mariachi, Mariachi Estrella Juvenil Inc. and Mariachi Los Diablitos de Sunnyside will also perform. The party also features food, face painting, and a “legit” Santa Claus. Nuñez emphasized that every child who attends receives a toy.

“Some may look like they may not need a toy, but we don’t know what life is like at their house. They may have nice clothes but no food, and this could mean the difference between tamales and toys,” he said.

The Miracle team relies heavily on toy donations from the upcoming Stuff the Big Red Bus Toy Drive held in front of O’Malley’s on Fourth Avenue during the Fourth Avenue Street Fair. However, in the last few years, due to the rising costs of toys, the team has increasingly applied a two-tiered approach to fundraising — requesting monetary contributions in addition to toys.

Gifts for children ages 10-plus are especially needed (electronics, ear buds, bath sets, basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls). Higher price points on these items often mean fewer in-kind donations, so monetary donations often support the purchase of gifts for preteens and teens. Donations can be made online at donorbox.org/miracle-en-el-barrio-2023.

Ultimately, Nuñez believes that Miracle En El Barrio embodies the spirit of love, generosity, involvement and investment that distinguishes the South Tucson community. If the need continues, he hopes to see it follow in the footsteps of Miracle on 31st Street, which will mark its 53rd celebration at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at Tucson Greyhound Park.

“We aspire to expand to expand Miracle into a Tucson tradition synonymous with Christmas, and the true spirit of giving toys to kids supported by the hearts of locally-owned businesses who share our mission to give the greatest gif of all: Love,” Nuñez said.