In a gesture honoring Three Kings Day, Florida State Representative Susan Valdes organized a charity event at Zoo Tampa, Saturday, offering backpacks and toys to 150 local children.
Three Kings Day, celebrated on January 6, marks the moment the three wise men first encountered baby Jesus, bringing with them precious gifts. To commemorate this culturally significant day, Rep. Susan Valdes took the opportunity to contribute positively to the community by gifting backpacks filled with educational materials and a variety of toys to children and their families at Zoo Tampa.
This benevolent event occurred soon after Valdes made headlines with her decision to leave the Democratic Party and join the Republicans. During the event, Valdes shared her motivation for supporting education as a means to overcome challenges in life: ‘Everything is possible through an education and I think that’s the biggest tool to get yourself out of poverty or out of situation.’
The backpacks distributed were packed with essential educational supplies such as notebooks, pencils, crayons, and coloring books, while the toys ranged from basketballs to stuffed animals and games. Feedback from attendees was positive, with parents expressing gratitude for the assistance provided. Ashley Castor, a mother who benefitted from the event, remarked, ‘My oldest 7-year-old, he opened up the backpack, and he was like, look Mommy, I got notebooks.’
Valdes’s recent political shift did not overshadow the day’s festivities, which focused on community togetherness and support, particularly within the Hispanic culture. ‘I am the same public servant that I’ve been…so Susan is going to continue to work hard,’ Valdes assured, emphasizing her ongoing commitment to serving her community.
The event was made possible through collaboration with local organizations like Zoo Tampa, The Brink Foundation, and Miss Latina Tampa, which collectively raised over $3,000 to fund the giveaway. Valdes highlighted the joy seen in children’s faces as they selected their toys, calling it a ‘glimmer of hope’ and expressing her desire to foster such positive experiences.
Rep. Susan Valdes’s Three Kings Day event symbolized a commitment to community service and education, reinforcing her resolve to positively impact children’s lives. By partnering with local organizations, she was able to provide meaningful support to families, making the holiday celebration both memorable and impactful.
Source: Fox13news
