2012 story: Christmas cheer spread through apartment complex

At the Franklin Vista Apartment Complex in Anthony, the scene wasn’t a typical one Thursday.

Instead, Santa, gifts and hot chocolate made for a winter wonderland around the complex.

Franklin Vista is an affordable-housing complex. Management there works to assist low-income families with making ends meet.

Back in July, ABC-7 reported on the complex, specifically looking at the property manager that revamped the apartment’s image.

From crime-ridden to family-oriented, property manager Blanca Hernandez told ABC-7 it wasn’t her intention to right the neighborhood. But that’s exactly what she did.

The celebrations today were made possible by the management team and the large group of donors they gathered.

The team collected presents, food and drinks for the entire complex. A total of 210 children received gifts.

The giveaway was a way for management to thank their tenants for abiding by the strict set of rules enforced to keep the apartments safe.

Children like Andre Martin De Campo were thrilled with the celebrations.

“I love the present that I got,” Andres said.

He received a toy truck carrying a boat.

For mothers like Monica Romero, the event was especially rewarding.

“A lot of people, like I said, can’t afford it or are down around this time. So for this apartment complex doing that, bringing joy more to the kids than adults, it’s joy for us parents to see our kids happy,” Romero said.