By Deborah Martinez Martinez
The Bessemer Christmas Extravaganza for Columbian and Minnequa Elementary Schools will continue this year thanks to the supporters of the Ray Aguilera Pueblo Poverty Foundation, according to Andrea Aguilera-Hansen, Ray’s daughter.
Although former City Councilman Ray Aguilera passed in 2021, his Poverty Foundation continued with help from Abigail Spillman, School District 60 who was on the Foundation Board.
According to Aguilera-Hansen, the Pueblo Poverty Foundation dissolved in about July of this year due to difficulties in keeping it going. However, the School District 60 Pueblo Education Foundation will hold the donated funds or Columbian and Minnequa.
Money was transferred for the Vocabulary Challenge winners from both Columbian and Minnequa schools. Children were treated to a visit at the Pumpkin Patch this year, Spillman said.
Donations to sponsor the event may be sent to the Pueblo School District 60 Foundation, with a memo stating the funds should be used for the Columbian and Minnequa Christmas Extravaganza and Vocabulary Challenge at 315 W. 11th St., Pueblo, CO 81001.
According to Principal Katie Harshman at Minnequa, the Christmas Extravaganza will continue on Dec. 20, 2024 at each school. She said, “We are so grateful for the funds and will continue to honor Ray Aguilera.”
“The schools will share resources/vendors one school in the morning and the other in the afternoon that Friday,” said Jimmie Pool, Principal of Columbian School.
For 20 years, the Christmas Extravaganza, featuring food, gifts and a visit with Santa, moved from the Zaragoza Hall, to the State Fair 4-H Hall, to the Ag building to accommodate the increase in number of children and families.
When Covid hit, the Extravaganza took on a new form by using the pick-up loop at each school to do a drive-through event gifting hats, glove, toys, and of course, with Santa (usually Ray Aguilera) listening to children.
At least, the children of Columbian and Minnequa can look forward to the Christmas event this year, although it will probably be up to each school’s principal to keep the project going.
