Over 20 families in need receive Christmas presents after writing ‘Dear Santa’ letters

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – News Channel 3 has partnered with General Air Conditioning and Plumbing to provide gifts to families in need this Christmas.

Nearly 60 Coachella Valley families sent in letters to the North Pole with their wishlist from Santa. A group of people went through each letter and picked 22 families to deliver gifts to based on need. Patrick Somers, the President and CEO of General Air Conditioning and Plumbing said it's a special tradition.

"It goes along with a lot of our philosophy, and that is when we're blessed, we want to be able to bless others," Somers said. "We want to give back to the community."

The families for this Christmas have been selected and gifts have been delivered, helping to spread holiday cheer and even essential supplies to locals. For many residents, they are facing hardships and wanted to be able to provide gifts to their children.

“This means a lot, because, as you know, and times are rough and we're really trying to, provide a good Christmas for my daughters," Linda Vega, one of the recipients said."

Vega said she wrote a "Dear Santa" letter because he husband is currently undergoing cancer treatment. She asked for two bikes for her daughters, which is a gift that goes beyond learning how to ride.

“Once my husband, finishes treatment," Vega said. "Our goal is to provide a very healthy lifestyle for my my husband, my family.”

Another recipient, Nora Diaz and her daughter, were in need of an additional carseat for her one-year-old granddaughter Dahlia Rodriguez. Nora helps her daughter taking Dahlia to daycare, but they've been having to take extra time to switch the carseat between vehicles.

"It's amazing that this community can, help out parents that are going through times right now and to just a simple act of asking for a car seat," Diaz said.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more from recipients on their message to other families facing challenges this Christmas.