Activity Reports

Yes, There Really is a Santa!

For over 20 years CET has featured "Posadas" at Christmastime for the benefit of the community in and around the Sobrato Center in San Jose, California. Max Martinez, Director of Communications for CET was the perfect Santa Claus, delighting the starry eyed children with his warm heart and affectionate smile, as they awaited the opportunity to tell Santa about their special wishes. Santa had several helpers from the CET Folklorico Nacional Juvenil dance group to assist in handing out books, candy canes and goodie bags for each child as parents snapped photos of their little ones with Santa.

Chris Longoria, CET Board member commented on the event: "My granddaughter really believes that the 'real Santa Claus' lives at CET. She went back to school after the holiday vacation and told her entire class that she had seen the real Santa Claus at CET." In fact, Max is at his finest when portraying Santa Claus, "He made one little girl's Christmas—a very special one—not to mention the hundreds of other people attending the Posadas", Mr. Longoria exclaimed.

A Posada is a reenactment of Joseph and Mary's search for shelter in Bethlehem. Members of the community including children, teenagers, mothers, fathers, and grandparents all join Joseph and Mary on their journey. Young dancers wearing their dance costumes, (some wear angel wings and halos), all walk together, singing traditional Posada Christmas songs that have been sung for centuries.

Following the procession this year, all participants returned to the CET's facilities and were treated to Folkloric dancing, traditional Mexican foods such as bunuelos, ponche, champurrado, candy filled Piñatas, Mexican chocolate, and gifts (books).

The tradition of bringing Posadas to CET has been led by Elena Robles, Artistic Director, of the CET sponsored Mexican folkloric programs which have been offered at CET since 1989. "Ms. Elena", as she is known by her students, has collaborated with CET's manager of Outreach and Recruitment, Dan Morales and others at CET over the years to organize and produce this wonderful celebration.

CET is privileged in recent years to have the Posada co-sponsored by friends such as the Mercury News Gift of Reading Program that donates new and used books for children. Also co-sponsoring this event is the Santa Clara Family Health Plan through the goodness of Marta Avelar, Community Relations Director and former CET employee.

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