Annual COH Toy Drive 2009

For the past several years I have participated in the COH Toy Drive, it is one of my favorite events to attend and participate in during the holiday season. This year a total of eleven local elementary schools participated and over 335 children received toys, which were donated by city employees. What I love most about this event is seeing the excitement and innocence on the children's faces as they see Santa and Mrs. Clause come into the park on Police Motorcycles units. I love how they cheer for Santa to appear... :children chanting: " Santa... Santa ...Santa" and when he finally appears there is nothing but jubilation in the air!!!! Finally I love seeing them tear apart the wrapping paper to see what gift is awaiting them!!! Christmas is such a great time and I hope that people do not get so caught up in getting that they forget to give. I believe you get so much more when you give!!

Some of Santa's Helpers

Mr. and Mrs. Clause

K-9 Unit Presentation

Norma and I

http://cbs4.com/video/?id=88021@wfor.dayport.com

http://cbs4.com/local/Hialeah.Toy.Drive.2.1364508.html

Hialeah Park

After nine years of being closed the historic Hialeah Park has finally opened once again! Today was opening day at the park, and the revitalization of the grounds is well underway. Their is still much work to be done, but you can clearly see the beauty and potential of the grounds. I am so excited to see this beautiful place open once again, and to see what things are in store for it. The park will be open for the racing seasoning commencing today and ending on February 2nd of 2010. The Hialeah residents play a vital role in keeping this place open. I am not for gambling, but I am for History!! ;)

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera

ACS Rummage Sale

This morning was the ACS Rummage Sale where all the proceeds gained would go towards the American Cancer Society and the 2010 Relay for Life. I have never been one to attend, let alone host a rummage sale, but it was interesting to see the amount of stuff/junk people where selling, and the amount of people who came by to check it out. I guess what they say is true "one man's junk is another man's treasure" I bought someones candle which are now my treasure, well not really my treasure, but they certainly are handy! We raised over $500 dollars for a great cause and we are hoping to host another rummage sale in January, so if you have any junk/stuff you would like to donate, please send it on over our way.

Here are some pictures of our morning!

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera & Melissa Hernandez-Herrera

Art on Palm / Tree Lighting Ceremony 2009

So tonight was Art on Palm's annual tree lighting ceremony. I remember my parents bringing me to Triangle Park as a little girl, and I would always write Santa a letter and put it in the giant red mail box found in one of the corners of the park. I remember running around in excitement looking at all the small decorated houses and taking pictures with Santa, but now as an adult I don't see the park quite the same, but it still is cute place for kids.

Placing a letter in the mail for Santa

Family and Friends

Me and my Honey!

Art on Palm

ACS Kickoff 2009!!!

Tonight was our ACS kickoff 2010!!! I can't believe we are having our kick off already! Where does the time go? I am excited for a new year of Relay and I am happy with the amazing committee we have this year!!! Relay 2010 here we come!! Did you know that 1 out of every 100 Americans participates in Relay for life...Be that 1!!!

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera

Only in Hialeah...

Being an employee for this city of progress sometimes allows for a few perks. My perk for the day along with some 1,000 plus others was free food for all city employees at the new pre-opening of the Chipotle on 49th and 4th. I absolutely love Chipotle and was thrilled when they opened the one in Miami Lakes, because I no longer had to drive to Griffin just to have some of this Mexican delight. Tomorrow the restaurant will be giving free food to all, so make sure to stop by. Anyway, now to the point of my story, my co-worker and I were driving to our free lunch and discussing our options for dinner, she said she was going to be cooking fish and needed to go to the market to buy some fresh limes. I am not kidding a second after she said that a guy walks by the car holding a bag of fresh limes for sale. Only in Hialeah will you able to buy fresh limes off the street from some guy! Tell me you see that in any other surrounding city? Oh how I love Hialeah.

My friend above says she needs to go buy a zipper tomorrow, maybe a seamstress will be selling some on 49th. Who knows?

The Early Bird Catches the Worm!

Tonight was the American Cancer Society's Early Bird Party for 2009 teams. This party is held in order to ignite excitement for the 2010 Relay for Life, and to give previous (2009) teams an opportunity to sign up early for our April 24th, 2010, Relay for Life Event. On October 19th a Kick Off Party will be held for new teams at Victor Wilde Park in Hialeah. If you are interested in participating and being apart of the American Cancer Society we will be there at 7:00pm! This year the American Cancer Society is celebrating a world with more birthdays! A world with less cancer is a world with more birthdays, and that's something to celebrate!!

The Early Bird Party

A world with more birthday's

2010 Relay for Life Committee

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera