Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Miami Herald - Thursday, December 14, 1995
Erin Mallants, Herald Writer
"I asked Santa for some Nintendo games like Super Mario Brothers III and Paper Boy," Junior said. "Oh, I want some Power Rangers, too."
Junior got his Power Rangers and everything else on his list. So did 24 other kids in Project Smile, an organization that places HIV-positive kids ages 3 to 14 in foster homes.
The 7-year-old organization houses 55 children.
For them, Santa came on Saturday in the form of the Bayside Homeowners Association, which raised $4,600 during a golf tournament in the fall to spend on presents.
"It's so great for them to get lots of attention," said Reuel Atkinson, who hosted the party at his home in the neighborhood of Bayside, east of Biscayne Boulevard in northeast Miami. "As a community, we spend the entire year raising money to do this for the kids. It's really special for us to see it all pay off."
Sandy Marks, a resident of the neighborhood, said the celebration is fun for both adults and kids. Her neighbors have shared that feeling for the past nine years, holding parties on behalf of different local groups, she added.
"The feeling was so great," said Marks, who helped buy toys for the kids. "The way the neighborhood came together for this group of children -- it was really a great party."
Weeks before the event, the kids made wish lists. The association tried to spend about $125 on each kid, but ended up spending more in some cases -- without any hesitation.
"We felt that the kids should be able to have whatever they want -- no questions asked," Marks said. "If they wanted a Super Nintendo, we gave it to them. If they wanted a bike or a play house, they got it. I was really surprised that they didn't ask for more."
The entertainers included nurses from Jackson Memorial Hospital who dressed as clowns. Jonathan Israel, 13, had lots of fun relaxing with all of the holiday music pounding in the background.
"I'm having a great time," he said, helping his younger sister open her presents. "I got the electric train set I wanted, so I'm really happy."
951214
MH951205
Copyright © 1995 - Miami Herald. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Miami Herald, Permissions, One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132-1693 TEL: (305) 376-3719. http://www.herald.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1995. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 1995. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .