Holiday Fiestas Strengthen Families and Brighten Children’s Lives

Written by Tim Buckley, December 2025

Highland Elementary was a safe site for the first winter festival for CBEL neighborhoods this year, hosted on December 5th by the Highland Neighborhood Family Council. It was also the first time the event was hosted at the school. In years past, the neighborhood Salem Evangelical Church has hosted the fiesta but renovations underway there precluded its use this year.

“One parent told me that the school is the only public place they feel safe,” said Eduardo Angulo, key organizer for CBEL’s five neighborhood family councils. The evening delighted almost 100 families…as many people as the school normally occupies during a typical school day.

Visitors began lining up at Highland at 5 p.m. After receiving free raffle tickets for gift cards and lots of gifts for kids, parents might have headed straight for the cafeteria where fresh tacos, pizza, and hot chocolate were served, where families could gather and catch up.

Or they might have gone immediately to the photo booth for a family portrait and then sat together, mounting the photos in hand decorated picture frames to take home.

The Enlace Cross Cultural Dance group was there to provide traditional Mexican indigenous music and dancing, thanks to Amador Aguilar. The room was filled with joyous songs and swirls of beautifully dressed dancers. By 7:30, as the evening festivities ended, some hung around to chat or help clean up. The majority filed out into the night, some holding hands and others embracing gifts received.

At a nearby elementary school the following Thursday, the Hallman/Northgate Neighborhood Family Council (NFC) hosted an even bigger group of families gathered for a similar evening of food, crafts and festivities. More than 30 volunteers, from a number of NVCs, helped guide and facilitate activities for 125 families (389 people).

One of the mom’s, who has attended a few NFC events since summer wrote this, about how important NFC connections are for her and her family.

We used to live in the area for 7 years and just recently moved back a few months ago. We took our kids to the park every day when the weather was okay. One of those days, the neighborhood had the Fun Friday event going on. Because of the fun we had there, we have gone to all the events they sponsor. My children love going. I have a child with autism who did enjoy going but as he gets older, he gets too overwhelmed to go. My daughter and I look forward to the events every year. Britanie West, Hallman-Northgate Resident