HOUSTON — Richard Reyes -- better known as Pancho Claus -- said he's going to need a lot of help from Houstonians to spread Christmas magic this year.
Reyes said his heart issues were worse than expected and he underwent open heart surgery and a double bypass on Monday. The timing couldn't be worse for Reyes who's been delivering Christmas gifts to low-income children for more than four decades.
"I’ll be in the hospital for half a month and recovery (because they break bones in your chest) will take six weeks," Reyes shared on Facebook. "Although I’m canceling all my appearances, performances, parades, etc. we will still be doing what’s most important for the Pancho Claus Project."
That's meeting the goal of 20,000 toys delivered to low-income children in Houston and the Rio Grande Valley.
"This I can do by coordinating volunteers and helpers in my bed through my phone and computer. We really need your help," Reyes posted.
The 73-year-old has had a rough year. Hurricane Beryl flooded his home, and last week, he suffered his third heart attack.
"You realize you’re not Santa Claus and you’re not immortal. So you have to snap back into the reality, but it is what it is. I’m 73 years old and it comes with the territory," Reyes told KHOU 11 News over the weekend.
After we shared his story about the hurricane damage, Reyes received enough donations to repair his home. Now he's hoping people will open their hearts once again with donations to a GoFundMe or by volunteering.
Other ways to donate to Pancho Claus' 2024 Christmas project:
- CashApp: $PanchoClause
- Zelle: Richard@panchoclaus.com
- PayPal: 713-208-0606
- Mail to:
- Casa Ramirez, 241 W. 19th Street Houston, Texas 77008
- Check payable to: Pancho Claus Arts
"It takes hundreds of people, one monkey don’t stop no show. I want my community to know they are Pancho Claus and I need them to step up to reach the goal of 20,000 gifts," he said.