The National School District and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) joined forces to give more than 400 children a special gift to celebrate Three Kings Day — a holiday celebrated by many Latino families.
CHP officer Salvador Castro said it’s an event they do every year for the community and this year it was held at Lincoln Acres Elementary.
“For me this has always been something I like to do because I celebrated this as a kid. That's the day we open our stockings and I know a lot of families here in San Diego that celebrate it,” Castro said.
When Castro heard there would be hundreds of kids getting tested for COVID-19 on Thursday, he worked with the National City mayor to organize the joint event. Although a free toy is a great incentive to get tested, Castro said it wasn't mandatory.
“We're giving a toy to any kid that comes in. Whether they test or not, every kid gets a toy,” he said.
Aracely Cuevas, a mom of two boys at National School District said the free toys are appreciated.
“They’re really happy about that even though he wanted the bicycle, someone else got the bicycle but he’s really happy he’s going to get the gift today,” Cuevas said.
Cuevas added that getting her kids tested before they go back to school on Monday is important for her. She said seeing other families in the school district take the same precautions gives her peace of mind.
National City Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis said that’s what it’s all about.
“We saw folks waiting at 5:30 in the morning to get the rapid test kits. There were two in each box. And those are the parents of the youth that are here waiting,” she said.
More than 400 students were in line to get tested.
Each student was given a rapid test plus a PCR test all in the hopes for a safe return to school.
