Navidad in the Neighborhood History

Navidad has evolved into the ONLY organization giving new books and sports balls directly to children AND to agencies for use daily. Over its colorful history Navidad had donated over 309,214 gifts valued at more than $6.2 million dollars.

Navidad started in California in 1972, where Danny Villanueva, then general manager of a local television station wanted to make Christmas a little brighter for families in East Los Angeles. He had made history as a start kicker for the LA Rams (the first Hispanic in the NFL) and then with DFW’s own beloved Dallas Cowboys.  In addition, Danny was a part-time sportscaster breaking into and rising up the ranks in Spanish-language television.  He left football and pursued a career that included forming and selling Univision; but throughout his business ventures he stayed close to the community and Navidad was a program that stayed closed to his heart.

In 1988, he helped Univision bring the successful Navidad program to Dallas and the station produced the toy drive project until 1991. The North Texas Navidad en el Barrio Foundation was incorporated and in January 1998, the group was modified into its current non-profit 501 (c) (3) status.  Navidad is governed by a Board of Directors made up of business and community leaders who work with corporate sponsors that donate cash and in-kind supplies annually. 

Navidad has raised almost $1 million dollars in cash and approximately $5 million in in-kind services; it receives in-kind office and warehouse space so administrative fees continue to remain low.   Navidad receives no federal, state or United Way funding and is poised to make even greater strides with new projects, new sponsors and new volunteers to provide gifts changing lives for many years to come!

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