By Cristina Cabrera Jarro -
Staff from Las Madrinas Insurance, Lourdes Academy, and Catholic Charities Notre Dame Child Development Center dance with children during a holiday event on Dec. 16, 2025. On that day, over 200 children at Notre Dame received gifts donated by the Lourdes Academy community.
Children from Catholic Charities Notre Dame Child Development Center share a thank you note dedicated to Lourdes Academy during a holiday event on Dec. 16, 2025. On that day, over 200 children at Notre Dame received gifts donated by the Lourdes Academy community.
Children from Catholic Charities Notre Dame Child Development Center pose with students from Lourdes Academy during a holiday event on Dec. 16, 2025. On that day, over 200 children at Notre Dame received gifts donated by the Lourdes Academy community.
Children from Catholic Charities Notre Dame Child Development Center dance during a holiday event on Dec. 16, 2025. On that day, over 200 children at Notre Dame received gifts donated by the Lourdes Academy community.
Ali Medina, a freshman at Lourdes Academy, says good-bye to children from Catholic Charities Notre Dame Child Development Center during a holiday event on Dec. 16, 2025. On that day, over 200 children at Notre Dame received gifts donated by the Lourdes Academy community.
Children and staff from Catholic Charities Notre Dame Child Development Center pose with students from Lourdes Academy and staff from Las Madrinas Insurance during a holiday event on Dec. 16, 2025. On that day, over 200 children at Notre Dame received gifts donated by the Lourdes Academy community.
Photography: Cristina Cabrera Jarro
MIAMI| More than 200 children and staff from Catholic Charities Notre Dame Child Development Center in Little Haiti welcomed a caravan of “Santa’s helpers” from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy on Dec. 16, 2025.
Students, alumni, and faculty of Lourdes Academy, aided by Las Madrinas Insurance, arrived with toys and clothes for every child at the center to enjoy this Christmas. A $15,000 check was also presented to benefit the center, which cares, feeds and educates preschool children from low-income families.
The goods included toys, clothes, gift cards, non-perishable food to stock pantries, and sports equipment. Some students also hosted “wrapping parties” to prepare gifts. Everything that is donated is collected by Lourdes Academy students and families in preparation for the season.
Photographer: CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO| FC
Children from Catholic Charities Notre Dame Child Development Center pose with students from Lourdes Academy during a holiday event on Dec. 16, 2025. On that day, over 200 children at Notre Dame received gifts donated by the Lourdes Academy community.
As the Las Madrinas bus arrived at Notre Dame this year, the Lourdes students were quick to unload sack after sack of goodies into the offices of the center for later distribution. As they worked, kids from the center looked out eagerly from classroom windows.
Photographer: CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO| FC
Ali Medina, a freshman at Lourdes Academy, says good-bye to children from Catholic Charities Notre Dame Child Development Center during a holiday event on Dec. 16, 2025. On that day, over 200 children at Notre Dame received gifts donated by the Lourdes Academy community.
“I like for our students to meet the kids that are receiving the gifts,” said Marta “Martica” Castellanos, an alumna and staff member of Lourdes Academy.
During previous gifting days, students and guests from Lourdes Academy visited each classroom at the center. This year, all the children and teachers gathered in the hallway for a festive block party. Several classes prepared holiday songs to sing or dance to, and music and laughter filled the air. After each performance, many high fives and hugs were given to the Lourdes team, who also received handwritten and colored “thank-you” notes.
“We’ve been super excited about meeting the kids. It was beautiful to see all the children so happy, and it has been such a great experience,” said Ali Medina, a freshman at Lourdes Academy.
As the party drew to a close, group photos were taken to remember the moment of kindness and fun.
“Every single year, we look forward to this, and so do the kids and parents,” said Venante Exalant, regional director of Catholic Charities’ Notre Dame Child Development Center. “We’re blessed here. Thank God.”
The partnership with Las Madrinas Insurance has also helped. Vanessa Vazquez, an alumna of Lourdes Academy and a former student of Castellanos, enjoys the opportunity to participate in giving, along with her husband, Ammer Cabrera, president of Las Madrinas, Mercy Cabrera, co-founder, and several other employees.
“We’re local agents, and homegrown. It’s important to help out our local communities,” said Vazquez, who serves as director of finance at Las Madrinas.
Photographer: CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO| FC
Staff from Las Madrinas Insurance, Lourdes Academy, and Catholic Charities Notre Dame Child Development Center dance with children during a holiday event on Dec. 16, 2025. On that day, over 200 children at Notre Dame received gifts donated by the Lourdes Academy community.
On the annual December gifting day, Las Madrinas provides one of its big buses to transport the goods. In addition to Notre Dame, this year’s Lourdes Academy caravan of giving also included visits to Cristo Rey High School in North Miami; St. Mary’s Cathedral School in Miami; Linda Ray Intervention Center, a special education school in Miami; and San Juan Bosco Church and St. Michael the Archangel Church, both located on West Flagler Street.
“We couldn’t do it without them,” said Castellanos.
The tradition of Lourdes Academy giving during the holidays started over two decades ago.
“They’ve been doing this for 21 years, going on 22. They’re awesome! We are so grateful and blessed,” said Natasha Cazeau, lead case manager at the Notre Dame center.
Years ago, Cazeau approached “Martica” Castellanos at a different holiday giving event. Though she felt shy, something kept pushing her to speak to Castellanos and ask her to help Notre Dame.
“Martica had a smile on her face, and she was so nice,” said Cazeau.
They exchanged information, and parted ways. Cazeau felt happy about the seed she had planted, and was looking forward to their help next year. The seed, however, blossomed much sooner than she imagined.
“About 20 minutes passed, and I was two minutes away from Notre Dame, and Martica called me, saying ‘I’m in the parking lot. Where are you?’ I was like ‘What? You didn’t tell me you were coming,’” Cazeau recalled.
Castellanos arrived at the first gathering with a donation of 50 turkeys, 50 gift boxes, and 25 gift cards. The tradition of a gifting day is now an annual favorite activity between the Lourdes Academy and Notre Dame communities, occurring not only around Christmas, but also Thanksgiving. This year, the Lourdes community donated more than 780 turkeys.
“It’s important for our people to know how important it is, and how many people need our help,” said Castellanos, who is the family engagement and special events manager at Lourdes Academy.
As the Lourdes team hopped back in their vans and vehicles, and the Las Madrinas van prepared to depart, Cazeau called out one last good-bye and “Thank you guys!”
“I love you,” Castellanos answered.
TO LEARN MORE
For more information about Catholic Charities’ Notre Dame Child Development Center in Little Haiti, call 305-751-6778 or click here.
Notre Dame Child Development Center is located at 130 NE 62nd Street, Miami, FL 33138
Photographer: CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO| FC
Children and staff from Catholic Charities Notre Dame Child Development Center pose with students from Lourdes Academy and staff from Las Madrinas Insurance during a holiday event on Dec. 16, 2025. On that day, over 200 children at Notre Dame received gifts donated by the Lourdes Academy community.
