-Editorial
The Camarena Memorial Library brought families together for a special Christmas Family Night on Dec. 19. The event, designed for children ages 0 to 12, offered a festive evening filled with stories, games, arts and crafts, sensory activities, snacks, and free books for every child in attendance.
As families arrived, they were greeted by the sight of Santa Claus seated next to a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, ready to welcome them with a warm smile. Children and parents alike lined up eagerly for the chance to take a memorable photo with the St. Nick.
“We wanted to bring together the whole family for a nice event at the library,” said Lizeth Legaspi, Library Manager. “We had arts and crafts, games, sensory activities, and even a chance for kids to meet Santa from the North Pole. They were able to write letters to Santa at our special letter-writing station and hand them to him in person.”
In addition to the holiday fun, the event aimed to strengthen the community’s connection with the library. “We want the community to know that the library is more than just books,” Legaspi emphasized. “Books are very important, which is why we gave every child a free book to help them build their home library.”
Children and families enjoyed a wide range of engaging activities, including painting, sensory exploration, and classic games like Lotería. The goal was to create a welcoming environment where families could connect and discover the many resources the library has to offer.
Legaspi shared that the library has a full calendar of events planned for 2025. “In January, we have a pajama party. In February, we’re hosting a Lunar New Year celebration and our annual Dr. Seuss event. We have a whole bunch of activities for kids of all ages and for adults as well,” she said.
Elisa Sillas, who was enjoying the craft activities with her grandchildren, reflected on her long-standing connection with the Camarena Memorial Library. Having brought her own children to the library years ago, she now finds joy in seeing her grandchildren experience the same.
“It’s wonderful to see my children and now my grandchildren here,” Sillas said. “I’m glad they continue offering these activities for the kids.“
Likewise, Judith Perez from Calexico has also come to this event for years and was happy to see the participation families.
“This is very educational for the kids and the library has many activities in different days.
Mayor Pro Tem Victor Legaspi applauded the effort of the library staff for putting this event together.
“I’m excited, and I want to thank Lizeth Legaspi for putting all this together, along with the library staff,” Mayor Pro Tem Legaspi said. “It’s nice to see the kids enjoying their holidays here at the library — working on crafts, listening to stories, and just having a great time.”
