Miracle on 31st St. again proves itself a gift to kids

One by one, children picked out Christmas gifts a day early as a band blasted Norteño music and families chatted over hot dogs and snow cones.

Just beyond the party's edge, Ramon Gonzales, the founder and organizer for Tucson's Miracle on 31st Street, leaned against a truck and took in the scene.

"I like to see all the kids happy," he said. "It's just a little toy. It's just a very good feeling to see all these kids getting something."

Sunday marked the party's 36th anniversary. What started as a handful of inexpensive presents that Gonzales gave to his nieces and nephews so many years ago has blossomed into a community staple that provides presents to thousands of children, most of whom are from the city's South Side.

That this year was yet another Christmas success was, at least to Gonzales, something of a miracle in and of itself. Only a week ago, he had collected just 70 or 80 toys and was bracing for up to 8,000 children.

"It felt awful," he said. "Nothing was coming in."

But word of his toy shortage spread, and an outpouring of support followed. What began as a trickle of donations became a veritable flood.

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive delivered about 3,000 toys. Over the last few days Gonzales' phone has been ringing off the hook.

Gonzales is quiet with an easygoing demeanor. He won't say how old he is but has flowing silver hair. He speaks at a measured, thoughtful pace and is originally from Tucson.

As much as he founded Miracle on 31st Street, he's quick to defer any praise.

"I don't consider myself the one doing this party," he said. "Because I'm not. It's actually the community that's doing it."

Danny Wash, who stands maybe 4 feet tall, has volunteered with Miracle for more than 20 years by dressing as an elf. He agreed with Gonzales.

"You don't see no big companies out here," he said.

And yet, he said, Gonzales' spirit was the driving force. A spirit that, to hear Wash's description, is one that embodies the true meaning of Christmas.

"It's always about the kids. You never hear him complain," Wash said. "A lot of these kids are so poor, they'll wake up (Christmas day) and they won't have anything."

Thousands of kids turned out for Sunday's event, and by day's end, all appeared to have received presents.

Because Miracle on 31st Street has become a Tucson tradition, many of the children who once went to the party are now coming back to help with it as adults.

As a child, Ericka Aguilar, now 26, would line up presents at a time when there were only 100 or so kids. Now working in marketing for Spanish television station Telemundo, she was back to lend a hand for an event serving thousands of kids.

"It's great," she said. "It's a wonderful feeling to give back to something you were able to enjoy."

For Gonzales, the party is his annual pinnacle. He said he'll spend Christmas day sleeping. But soon enough he'll start planning next year's Miracle.

"People start calling me way before Christmas to see if I am going to make it again," he said. "I hope I can make it to 40 years."