Latino celebrates another year of life but with gifts for others

A few weeks ago Martin Ortiz began to receive gifts for his birthday, which celebrates the 19 October. However, these came not only from friends and local acquaintances but also from people from other states, such as Texas and Florida.

What makes these gifts so special is that none go directly to Ortiz, but rather for his annual toy drive for the needy children of Honduras.

For the tenth consecutive year, he has been fulfilling the promise of sending toys to the children of the non-profit organization A-Tuto, located in San Pedro Sula, and to the Children’s Comedor of his town Macuelizo, in the department of Santa Bárbara .

Ortiz, told Real America News that giving gifts to others is a joy that he enjoys very much.

“I came to this country ago 16 years and for me it is a way of thanking all the blessings that God It gives me like having gotten jobs and learning a new language ”, indicated the Honduran from 37 year old.

Among his most recent successes, he says that he managed to open his Ortiz Public Relations office in downtown Los Angeles amid the pandemic and that last week was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year among the Honduran community in California by the Consulate General of Honduras.

A few weeks ago Martin Ortiz began receiving gifts for his birthday , which celebrates the 19 October. However, these came not only from friends and local acquaintances but also from people from other states, such as Texas and Florida.

What makes these gifts so special is that none go directly to Ortiz, but rather for his annual toy drive for the needy children of Honduras.

For the tenth consecutive year, he has been fulfilling the promise of sending toys to the children of the non-profit organization A-Tuto, located in San Pedro Sula, and to the Children’s Comedor of his town Macuelizo, in the department of Santa Bárbara .

Ortiz, told Real America News that giving gifts to others is a joy that he enjoys very much.

“I came to this country ago 16 years and for me it is a way of thanking all the blessings that God It gives me like having gotten jobs and learning a new language ”, indicated the Honduran from 37 year old.

Among his most recent successes, he says that he managed to open his Ortiz Public Relations office in downtown Los Angeles amid the pandemic and that last week was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year among the Honduran community in California by the Consulate General of Honduras.

The immigrant, who is a twin and has six brothers, said he came to the United States at 19 years with many dreams and goals. He began working in fast food restaurants and over time he was climbing professionally. He came to work in local television channels in front of and behind the cameras.

“I worked as an assistant in television and production at the Channel 62 and in the Channel 22 until it closed, “said Ortiz, who by then was already more knowledgeable in the field of the show.

“As I already know many people through the media, I thought it would be a good idea to involve them to help others.”

Remember that the first three years of collecting toys was a bit difficult as he had to pay out of pocket about $ 300 to send the toy boxes by parcel.

“And I don’t like that they give me money because I don’t want them to think that I’m going to use it for something else. But I make sure they give me new and unused toys, ”he stressed. “Children are always more excited when they know that toys come from the United States.”

Over time and after making their Because of this, more interested parties appeared to join Ortiz’s altruistic work.

The initiative grew to such an extent that, in years prior to the pandemic , some restaurant owners donated the locality and snacks for him to carry out his birthday event and toy drive.

In addition, Shipping companies were encouraged to charge you only the 50% of the total cost to ship the boxes. “I have shipped three to four boxes per year,” he said.

Account that since your The collection of toys decided to send them to the A Tuto Foundation, a Honduran horse riding association that is in charge of giving horse therapy to children and adults with special needs.

The other part of the toys goes to the children’s dining room in Macuelizo. Ortiz has had the opportunity to travel a couple of times to personally deliver the toys.

“Before I arrived they began to say: ‘The guato is coming’ -because that’s what they say to the twins- and they already know it’s me … There we organized a party in town ”, he explained.

“With the help of others We buy cake, piñatas, we give the children a snack and the whole town joins in the celebration. ”

Ortiz said that he has come to distribute toys even for 200 children only in Macuelizo and adults also receive a very original gift; a cup of cappuccino that in many cases they cannot afford out of their pocket.

Ortiz said the toy drive is in October for that at the beginning of November begin to fill the boxes and send them. This year the parcel is estimated to be sent on November 8 and it will take about a month to arrive in Honduras, Ortiz said.

“We hope there are no failures due to the problem of the ports and thus they arrive for

Christmas”, He indicated.

From his office, which is located adjacent to the Consulate General of Honduras, he said he felt successful on a daily basis.

“Many people identify success with being millionaires but for me and many who have known success means doing what we love to do in order to help others”