⭐ The True Heart Behind the Reyes Magos Program

Latinx Immigrants of Iowa – 5th Anniversary

The Reyes Magos Program was born from a deeply personal place —
from a childhood memory that never faded.

In many Latin American countries, the Day of the Three Kings is as meaningful as Christmas.
Children place their shoes out on January 5th, waiting for the Kings to visit during the night —
just as the Kings brought gifts to baby Jesus.

But the truth is simple:
not every child receives something.

Growing up, I was one of those children.
I put out my shoe every year, hoping for a gift…
but nothing ever came.
The next morning, I watched other children laugh and play with their presents,
while I stood there quietly with empty hands and a heavy heart.

Even as a child, I understood that feeling of being left out of something beautiful —
of being outside a tradition that belonged to everyone else.

As I grew older, I realized my experience was not unique.
There were many children just like me — children who waited with hope but never received anything.
Children who never got a greeting, a message, or even a moment during a tradition that should bring magic and joy.

That memory stayed with me.
It shaped me.
And it became the seed of the Reyes Magos Program, created four years ago with one purpose:

To make sure no child feels forgotten during this tradition.

This program was not created to give expensive gifts
or to add pressure on families.
Instead, it was created to give children something that every child deserves:

A moment of magic.
A personal phone call.
A reminder that they matter.

And to give each family something simple but meaningful:
a Rosca de Reyes to share at home,
because tradition grows around the table,
and culture is preserved through unity, stories, and love.

Local businesses support the program through donations —
not to fund gifts, but to make sure every family receives a rosca
and every child receives a special call from the Reyes Magos.

⭐ Our Impact Over the Last 4 Years

During the first four years of the program, we have reached our community in powerful ways:

1,000 families have participated in the Reyes Magos Program.

3,000 children have received a warm winter jacket when their families needed extra support.

Hundreds of children receive a personal phone call from the Reyes Magos every year.

Hundreds of Roscas de Reyes have been shared at home, keeping our tradition alive in Iowa.

These numbers are not just statistics.
They represent real families, real children, and real moments of joy, connection, and cultural pride.

⭐ A Special Request for This Year

This year has been especially difficult for minority-led organizations.
Resources are tighter, funding has decreased, and community needs continue to grow.

Because of that, we are humbly asking for support from local businesses to help continue this tradition.

Every contribution — large or small — helps us ensure:

That every child receives a phone call from the Reyes Magos

That every family receives a Rosca de Reyes

That this tradition remains alive for the next generation

We invite your business to join us in keeping this beautiful tradition alive in Iowa.

Thank you for believing in culture, community, and our children.
Together, we continue the tradition.