'Celebration' needs toys for needy kids

It started a decade ago when 50 children gathered at a Mexican restaurant to receive toys.

This year, organizers of the International Christmas Celebration hope to hand out toys to at least 2,000 needy children.

"We just open the door for everybody," said Kiko Cornejo, director of the Utah Latino Community Center. "We try to put families together to enjoy Christmas."

Donations of new toys for children up to age 12 can be dropped off at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South. Cornejo's goal is 2,000 toys and "we are getting there."

Cornejo said toys will be given out to children until they're gone at the Tuesday, Dec. 20, program at the E Center in West Valley City.

Cornejo said he got the idea for giving out toys when he was 10 years old. The Chile native, who moved to Utah in 1981, was one of 11 children and his parents couldn't afford Christmas presents.

This year's event goes beyond giving gifts, Cornejo said. It's about bringing people together to celebrate Christmas and to build better relationships between law enforcement and the community. Various law enforcement agencies are among the event's sponsors.

It will also include performances by some 600 local dancers and musicians from cultures ranging from Polynesian to Guatemalan to Mexican, said Silvia Norman, spokeswoman for the Latino Community Center. Santa will arrive on a motorcycle, accompanied by Utah Highway Patrol officers.

"We invite the whole community to come out," Norman said. "It's going to be an awesome event."

The 7-9 p.m. program is free for children. The cost is $5 for adults with children and $10 for adults without children. The admission covers the cost of the program.

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com