Some kids in the Florida Keys have given up writing letters to Santa because he’s never answered. They no longer compile a Christmas wish list, because Santa doesn’t always show up at their house.
But Roxanne Posada has been making Christmas miracles — and everyday essentials — happen in the island chain for about a decade.
She lives by three words: Kids Come First, which also happens to be the name of the nonprofit organization Posada runs for Monroe County kids.
“I’m all about making sure the littlest kids we serve have no idea their Christmas gifts came from a generous person in the community. They come from Santa and that’s all there is to it,” Posada said.
Throughout the year, Kids Come First provides new clothes, shoes, school supplies and other items for students whose families can’t afford the essentials, much less any extras.
But come Christmastime, Posada moves mountains to make magic happen. She’s in touch with every school in Monroe County, getting referrals from teachers and counselors who know which kids don’t bother writing out a wish list.
“Every kid in need gets to fill out a wish list for three or more items,” she said. “Then, I have sponsors within this amazingly generous community who get them what they want — without taking any credit for it.”
The big guy in the red suit gets all the credit.
Kids Come First started as an effort to provide needy kids with new school supplies — folders that match notebooks, the trendiest pens kids are using, brand new crayons, name brand sneakers, and everything else that symbolizes a new school year.
That effort grew to include clothing and personal hygiene items when teachers and counselors noticed a need. Posada has established “closets” at every school in the county, where brand new shirts, jeans, shorts and shoes are available in a variety of sizes. For most of the kids helped by Kids Come First, those are the first pieces of clothing that have come with a tag still attached.
The effort has continued to grow to include prom dresses, tuxedo rentals, caps and gowns, class rings, yearbooks, athletic uniforms, field trips, summer camps and other school time memories.
“The kids who need help don’t usually ask for it,” Posada says. “But we have great teachers and counselors at each school who always make referrals for kids they know are struggling,”
Kids Come First makes simple necessities and milestone memories possible for more than 200 students throughout the county every year.
For information, or to make a donation, call Posada at 305-360-1689.
