Transita Gutierrez's children were skeptical when she told them Santa Claus was behind the boxes she pulled out from hiding last Christmas Eve. But she wasn't far off – just one word, in fact.
"They had no idea about the Santa Claus Fund, so they were so happy. They said thank you to the Toronto Star readers and, 'Please, please ask again,' " she said.
Gutierrez has been living in Toronto with her husband and four children since 2003. Her family left Guatemala in 1996, fleeing a decades-long civil war.
"Guatemala is a beautiful country, but the government was oppressing its people," she said. "They were killing women and children, so I didn't feel secure anymore."
After eight years in North Carolina, the family moved to Canada.
"Canada is a wonderful country for the children's educations, for health care and for human rights. I also moved here because it's multicultural. I like that."
And, wait for it: "We love the winter."
Gutierrez and her husband have plans to open a convenience store, but in the meantime, juggling work and family is proving difficult. Without money for a babysitter, Gutierrez can't work. Without work, she can't afford to pay a babysitter. But she's hopeful her husband's job search will pay off soon.
Her 12-year-old son, meanwhile, is hoping for another Christmas like last year, his first time receiving a Star box.
"I got a model car, and I really like cars," said Q'anil. "My brothers and sisters were amazed and surprised to get all those toys.
"We asked (my mom) where she got them. First she said Santa Claus, but it's interesting to find out where you got the stuff (so we kept asking)."
Q'anil, his sister and two brothers, along with 45,000 other children in the GTA, also got candy, books and winter clothing.
If you have been touched by the Santa Claus Fund or have a story to tell, please email santaclausfund@thestar.ca.
