Christmas wishes filled through your generosity

Eight-year-old Edwin Guamantari desperately hoped that Santa would come to his house in Corona this year, but he had no idea that the jolly old elf would stop by bearing gifts four days before Christmas.
When Edwin saw The Courier Sun’s Kris Kringle dressed in red at his front door on Friday, December 21, the elated little boy screeched, “Santa!” and jumped into his arms.
“I knew you were coming! I knew you were coming!” Edwin shouted so loud that his mother Zoila came outside only to find a sack full of presents for her family.
In her heartbreaking letter to the North Pole, Zoila had written, “We are going through a very difficult time. If you can provide any help, it will be welcome and appreciated. I am worried about my little son because he doesn’t have a lot of clothes in this winter time.”
After Zoila’s letter was published in the previous week’s issue of The Courier Sun, bighearted readers answered her prayers - donating clothes for Zoila and Edwin and several big toys like a remote control helicopter - as well as gifts for dozens of little boys and girls in Queens.
All told, The Courier Sun’s Santa, Phil Campiglia, and helpers Maria Romero, Christina Santucci and Pete Davis, fulfilled the wishes contained in 19 letters throughout Queens for dozens of youngsters thanks to the generosity of readers and the newspaper’s staff.
Eight-year-old Justin Nuez in Elmhurst got Spiderman action figures, and his twin two-year-old brothers, Jushua and Joel, received a Diego book.
“They were very excited,” the boy’s mother Ingrid gushed, adding, “The twins were going crazy with the Diego book, Justin loves Spiderman, and the shoes, the shoes are just beautiful.”
Justin had written, “Santa, I’ve been a very good boy this year. I really believe in Santa Claus. And I want you to know that it has been a very hard year for my mommy. She does not have much to give my brothers and me. But I am wishing that Santa Claus would send me things that I wish for.”
Eight-year-old Ashley Soriano, a cancer survivor in Elmhurst, had asked for presents not only for herself but also for her six-year-old brother Armani and two-year-old sister Pricilla.
Ashley, who battled leukemia at the age of three, underwent chemotherapy and made a full recovery, was so grateful for the gifts of blue jeans and sneakers that she started to cry and hugged Santa.
“Thank you, Santa,” she said, her eyes shining.
Meanwhile, all six-year-old Kristin hoped to receive for Christmas was a “purpple” bicycle.
So when Santa hauled a shiny, new two wheeler (with training wheels) to her upstairs Woodside apartment, Kristin’s mother, Andrea, covered her eyes. Then as she let Kristin touch the handlebars as a hint of what present was awaiting her, a broad smile spread across her lips.
The excited little girl couldn’t wait to try out her new wheels, hopping on the bike to go for a spin around her living room and promising to share with her little sisters.
“I’m going to ride it in the park,” she said, beaming.
Her mom said that this was one Christmas the family wouldn’t soon forget. Andrea was so overwhelmed that tiny tears streamed down her cheeks when she hugged Santa goodbye.
“Gracias,” she said, choking up. “Feliz Navidad!”
For more photos of happy children, go to our web site — qns.com.