The children attending the Padre Eustáquio Daycare Center were surprised this Thursday, the 16th, by a very special visitor. A Santa Claus laden with gifts visited the institution and brought joy to the little ones.

Santa Claus arrived at the daycare center around 2 PM to the sound of Christmas carols. After greeting the staff, he went to a reserved space at the back of the building. Next to the Christmas tree and the nativity scene set up by the students, Santa Claus distributed gifts to all the children at the daycare center.

The initiative came from some parents who maintain a WhatsApp group in support of the institution. All the donated toys were collected through a campaign held among the parents and guardians of the children through the group. With the support of the Padre Eustáquio Daycare Center, dolls, toy cars, building blocks, and other types of toys were acquired and distributed during the afternoon of that Thursday.

The musician Dângelo Pereira was given the task of distributing the gifts. He had Covid in March and made a promise to grow his beard and hair so he could dress up as Santa Claus and bring joy to the children this Christmas, should he recover from the illness. With his health back to normal, the musician was moved to see and hear the children's words, smiles, and gestures of gratitude.

Students begin their holidays today, but preparations for next year have already started. Teachers will have a short break at the end of the year, but in January they will participate in a Holiday Camp designed to help parents who will be working during this period and have no one to leave their children with.

The Padre Eustáquio Daycare Center maintains a partnership with the Belo Horizonte City Hall and also relies on the community's help to continue Padre Eustáquio's ideals. “"I cannot rest easy thinking about the needy children of the parish"”.

You too can help this social cause. Click here and find out how to donate.