“Feliz Navidad,” senior Cynthia Garza said to an ecstatic young child last holiday season. Handing over the small, neatly wrapped package sent an overwhelming amount of emotion through Garza. She watched the smiling child take the present with shaking hands.

Every winter, Key Club, as well the rest of Legacy, participate in the annual Adopt a Child gift giving event.

“I love adopt a child,” Garza said. “It’s one of my most favorite things to do for Key Club.”

The process of Adopt a Child locates children who are underprivileged, financially unstable or have gone through a critical event within the past year or so in order to give them gifts. Organizations throughout Mansfield agree to adopt a certain number of children to buy gifts for during Christmas celebrations. Legacy has always adopted about 30 kids each Christmas, and plan to do the same this year.

“I appreciate how Key club and the whole school gets together and tries to help out families in need in such joyful days that we take for granted,” Garza said.

The majority of the time, the children come from a minority background. Garza often translates for the parents what’s going on and why their children are receiving the blessing. Garza has witnessed children and parents cry and multiple reiterations of the simple phrase “Thank you” from the grateful family.

“They just continue to say it and it just breaks my heart,” Garza said. “Like I just want to cry with them, but at the same time I feel so good about the occasion.”

It may seem early, but Key Club Sponsor Shelly Burkett wishes to get information out to the school. Students should check with their fourth block classes for information. For any further information, email Burkett at [email protected].