A community-sponsored Christmas Parranda event in the Hunting Park area of North Philadelphia provided food, winter coats, and entertainment to neighborhood children and their families on Saturday, December 19, 2025. This effort was a result of an expanded collaboration among the Marz Auto Center, Esperanza, local businesses, the Small Things organization, and elected officials in the Hunting Park and North Philadelphia Areas.

The event was originally organized by Monica Parrilla and her husband, Marlon Parrilla, the owners of Marz Auto Center, located at 4518 North 5th Street, a family-owned business that has operated in the area for decades.

Since 2016, Monica and Marlon Parrilla have hosted an annual Puerto Rican Parranda along with a smaller holiday giveaway for their employees and local businesses at their mechanic garage on 5th Street. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, in an attempt to bring community members together, the efforts of the Parrillas. led to a larger collaboration with Esperanza.

This year, said Monica, Marz Auto Center, Esperanza, State Representative Danilo Burgos, Small Things, and other local businesses joined the effort to create a beautiful, welcoming space for families to gather, enjoy Puerto Rican food, and receive coats. It wouldn’t be a real Puerto Rican Parranda without music, and Monica shared that this year, Marz Auto Center was able to hire a band called Javy Swing de Guille to keep the festivities joyful. 

As per tradition, the food, sponsored by State Representative Danilo Burgos, included a full-size roasted pig from Angel Garcia’s Kitchen and other sides from Food by Melody. Speakers included the new Captain of the 25th District, Captain Bennis, and State Representative Danilo Burgos. Local business leaders involved in the event said partnerships between businesses, nonprofits, and lawmakers are essential to supporting long-term community well-being.

Before the event, a well-oiled team from Esperanza’s Housing and Economic Development Department and Corridor Ambassadors from the Taking Care of Business Initiative developed by Mayor Cherrlle Parker were putting up tents and decorations. The day was very cold and windy, so their efforts, along with the tent, were blown around by the wind. The sight made me think about how so many people are coming together in hard times to take care of each other on a very local level.

Rafael Alvarez Febo, Vice President of Economic Development and Social Impact, said the decision to expand the event was influenced by conditions that emerged after 2020, when Philadelphia experienced increases in crime, theft, and violence. Many local businesses, particularly in commercial corridors, were among those most affected. Rather than limiting operations, the organizers said they sought to respond by increasing community engagement and collaboration.

The event offered free meals, entertainment, and 200 coats for the Parranda. The coats were donated by Small Things, an organization that supports children from the neighborhood.

Organizers said the goal was to provide immediate assistance to families while creating a structured, positive environment for children during the holiday season. Esperanza, a nonprofit organization focused on education, economic development, and advocacy in Latino communities, assisted with outreach and coordination. The participation of Rep. Danilo Burgos’ office reflected an effort to align community-based initiatives with broader public policy and neighborhood stabilization efforts.

Jose Pagan, a teen who wore a hoodie to the event, told me that he had been wearing this hoodie to school, but it wasn’t enough to keep him warm. He further added, “My new coat will help me stay warm on my way to school. Jose received one of the 200 coats donated by Small Things.

Other parents were very grateful to the organizers and said, “The event has been a fun time for the family, and the coats helped get everyone in our family a good coat.  Organizers said they hope the event will continue to grow and serve as a model for how community-driven partnerships can contribute to neighborhood resilience.