HOUSTON – For 43 years, Pancho Claus has been helping kids who are less fortunate have a Merry Christmas. He leads a toy drive that gives gifts to thousands of children in Texas.
This year, the mission looks a little different. Pancho Claus was recently hospitalized and learned he must undergo double bypass heart surgery.
Now, some kids are stepping up to the plate to make sure his efforts continue and he focuses on his health.
“We love you Pancho, we love you,” the young volunteers shouted in a cell phone video sent to Pancho, whose real name is Richard Reyes.
“Happy, excited and proud, you can help people,” some of the kids said.
And help they did.
“It actually feels good that we can help as a team, as heroes,” said Austin Vargas, who helped out Wednesday.
Vargas is one of about 12 kids with the the non-profit organization HEROES which teaches leadership skills and self betterment.
They went to the Activity Center at the Servants Christ United Methodist Church on Broadway Street, to wrap more than 50 gift boxes. They will be placed throughout the community for people to donate toys.
“They said we want to help. We want to help Pancho and that’s how it came about. It was a big flat yes from the kids, the kids were like let’s do it,” said HEROES President and Founder, Vicki Cruz.
Normally Pancho Claus would be right alongside them, only he’s in the hospital after being found to have blocked arteries.
“Within the next few days, as soon as I’m cleared for it, they’re going to do an open heart surgery, a double bypass. So it looks like I’m going to be in the hospital a total of a couple of weeks and some days,” Pancho said during a Zoom interview from his hospital bed.
His heart is filled with joy knowing his spirit of giving is being reciprocated by some of the same kids he’s helped along the way.
“That was a really big help, and I was so appreciative,” Pancho said.
Not only have they been wrapping boxes, they’ve also been sending Pancho get well cards and sending up prayers that Pancho has a speedy recovery.
For more information on how you can help Pancho Claus in his mission, click here.
