Holiday Party for Hispanic Families Celebrates Season of Giving

Hundreds of Hispanic families endured cold and rain to attend a holiday celebration and toy giveaway at the Bauer Drive Community Center in Rockville on Sunday.

Joseph A. Malouf, an attorney with an office in Gaithersburg who hosts a weekly radio show called "Knowing Your Rights" on Spanish-language Radio America WACA 1540, has organized the giveaway since 1994.

It began with Malouf working out of a basement to distribute toys to 40 children.

Sunday's festivities included food, music and 1,100 toys given to children of low-income Hispanic families.

"This is not a toy drive. This is a special event," said Malouf, a native of Guatemala.

County Executive Isiah Leggett helped to distribute toys and support the efforts of volunteers, including Malouf, who was once one of Leggett's students in a tort law class at Howard University.

"I'm here to thank the radio station and acknowledge the presence and work of so many people who made this happen," Leggett (D) said.

County police Chief J. Thomas Manger joined fellow officers to serve meals and "remind folks we're on their side," he said.

"They don't have a lot of trust in law enforcement," Manger said. "If we can come out to these events and have people see us in a different way, it's good for us, it's good for the community."

Alejandro Carrasco, the owner-operator of Radio America AM 1540, emceed the entertainment, which included singers and raffles for televisions, appliances and food baskets.

Booz Allen Hamilton, Megamart Supermarkets, the Adventist Philanthropic, Evangelistic, Educational and Health Center and Malouf donated toys.

Malouf credited friends in the professional world with contributing to the cause and Booz Allen Hamilton for dedicating hundreds of volunteer hours toward organizing the event, which he said he hopes will continue to grow.

"My dream is not to do this," Malouf said. "It's 10 times this."