Galilee Center celebrates Epiphany, hands out shoes and blankets

It was the 6th annual Epiphany Day celebration took place at the Galilee Center in Mecca on Sunday. The nonprofit organization, in partnership with local churches, handed out free shoes and blankets to underprivileged children in the Valley.

“It’s such a big holiday, especially in Mexico, the Epiphany Day. It’s kind of compared to Christmas, but instead of toys they get shoes. It’s a wonderful opportunity that we do in collaboration with St. James, they donated all the shoes and socks for the event,” said Claudia Castorena, Co-founder of the Galilee Center. The center’s goal is to fulfill the needs of underprivileged people in the Valley.

“Being able to do this is a sense of, overwhelming, it’s an accomplishment. And it’s a good feeling to help the people,” said one volunteer. Some Valley churches donated handmade blankets. “We actually knitted beautiful blankets, that families get to take home for their little ones, in addition to the shoes you saw inside. The families are so appreciative of it,” said Stephany Cosgrove, a blanket donor. Many recipients said the feel blessed and thankful.

“When my first shoes are all torn and ripped, I can use these shoes and my mom doesn’t have to waste any money on shoes. I don’t have to worry about it. I feel happy,” said 10-year-old Ana Roselyn Leln Centeno of Mecca.