Life's a Beach | Expat Life in Playa del Carmen

Since 2000, a group of kind-hearted residents of Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya has helped local non-profits connect with those who need a little extra attention during the Holiday season. In years past, this group has helped organize the collection and distribution of thousands of Christmas presents for disadvantaged and special needs students as well as much needed dispensas (essential non-perishable food items) for families and elders in impoverished outlying villages. Two years ago, the group has struck out on their own and created Christmas Dreams Playa. 

This year, one of the Christmas Dreams projects is to answer these "toy wish" letters which were written by school children from the impoverished village of Nuevo Noh-Bec, which is in a rural area outside of Playa del Carmen. This is the same village BuyPlaya is supporting with the "Kicks 4 Kids" Holiday Sneaker Drive. Read the letters and see how simple these wishes are --these kids are not asking for Ipads or Xboxes. In fact, they live in a community without electricity or running water and will be over the moon about a soccer ball or a baby doll.

The average cost of each gift to be 25 usd per child -- this means with just 100 usd you could give gifts to 4 children. For many (if not all) of these kids, this will be the only gift they will receive all year. The goal is to provide a present for each of the 219 school children in the village.

You can view all of the letters here in the album on the Christmas Dreams Facebook page. If you would like to sponsor one of these kids, simply choose "your" child by commenting under their letter in the Facebook album. If you live in Playa del Carmen, please purchase the item requested. Toys can be dropped off at one of the locations to be announced later or you can send an email to christmasdreamsplaya@gmail.com and the Christmas Dreams volunteers will arrange to pick it up from you.

If you are not in Playa, you can still choose a child and then send your donation via PayPal to christmasdreamsplaya@gmail.com and the volunteers will do the shopping on your behalf. If you would simply like to make a donation to support this project, ANY contribution, no matter how big or small will be greatly appreciated.

These humble, lovely kids will be just thrilled to receive a gift at their Three Kings Day party (which will be held on January 7) all thanks to your love, compassion, and kindness. The "Kicks 4 Kids" sneakers will be delivered at the same time!

Thank you for helping Christmas Dreams Playa put big smiles on little faces. 

These annual toy drives require an enormous commitment of time and superb organizational skills. Special thanks to Heather Andersen for her ongoing and tireless support of this project! If You would like to volunteer your time to this heart-warming project, please contact Gayle Collins at christmasdreamsplaya@gmail.com.