Celebrating Children: Toy drive starts for Dia Del Nino event later this month

IDAHO FALLS — The Hispanic Chamber Committee, part of the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a toy drive with the goal of giving each child a new toy.

Dia Del Nino, otherwise known as Children’s Day, is on April 26. It’s a free event happening from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bonneville County Fairgrounds.

Alfredo Avila, co-chair of the Hispanic Chamber Committee, tells EastIdahoNews.com the reason for hosting the event is to share the Hispanic culture and traditions with eastern Idaho.

Juan Conteras, relator and member of the committee, said the goal is to collect new toys — not used — to give each child who attends.

The following locations are where residents can help to drop off toys for the event:

• Evolv Brokerage, 901 Pier View Drive, Suite 203B
• Keller Williams Realty East Idaho, 3525 Merlin Drive
• Coldwell Banker Tomlinson, 630 West Broadway Street
• Century 21 High Desert Realtors, 700 Memorial Drive
• Berkshire Hathaway Home Service & Silver Hawk Realty East Idaho, 901 Pier View Drive Suite 106
• Pachangas, 435 A Street
• Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce, 365 River Parkway
• Homestead Pizza, 1770 West Broadway Street
• Perkins Family Resturant, 2000 Channing Way
• Pizza Pie Cafe, 3160 East 17th Street
• Broulim’s, 2730 East Sunnyside Road
• Jalisco’s Restaurant, 2107 East 17th Street
• Aguas Maria, 3192 South 25th East
• Citizen’s Community Bank, 900 South Utah Avenue
• BBSI, 957 Pier View Drive
• SERVPRO, 2525 Boge Avenue

Dia Del Nino is traditionally celebrated in Mexico on April 30, but worldwide on Nov. 20. Avila said it started in 1924 after Mexican President Alvaro Obregon signed onto the Geneva Convention, which had a provision on children’s rights.

The day is meant to celebrate kids and Avila’s experience when he was in school. At that time, kids still went to school but had a free day. Typically, there would be events, games, candy and a movie screening. Families would give gifts or do some activity with their children.

Contreras, who grew up in eastern Los Angeles, said some of those things were part of the celebration, but there was usually a dance or a parade where parents would go and watch their kids.

“Everything is done by the children,” Contreras says. “It sounds kind of silly, but it’s like Christmas, your birthday and Easter all in one.”

Chamber member Elisa Mendoza said the day of the event will be filled with different performances, as well as booths and food trucks. The performances will be from local groups like Upper Valley Dance, Cheer, Martial Arts Academy, and Dance Azteca Quetzalcoatl.

Team Sokudo will be hosting a car show at the event, with the children acting as judges for the best car.

In November, the Hispanic Chamber hosted its Dia Del Los Muertos event, and Avila said over 1,500 people came by, and they plan to have the same amount.

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“This is for all of the kids of Idaho Falls, not just for the Hispanic kids,” Avila said. “We want everybody, every child, to come and have a good time at that event that day.”

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