A Birthday Gift to the Mountains

For years, my friends at North Off Road—a tight-knit 4×4 club I met through rappelling adventures—had invited me to join the Santa 4×4 event in Santiago, Nuevo León, Mexico. Every December, they head deep into the Sierra to deliver supplies and holiday cheer to isolated mountain communities. The timing always overlapped with my birthday… until 2024, when I finally said yes.

What followed was a magical mix of community service, off-road adrenaline, and festive joy unlike anything I’d ever experienced.

What Is the Santa 4×4 Event?

Every year in early December, a coalition of 4×4 clubs from the Monterrey and Santiago region bands together to bring essential goods to families in remote mountain villages—places that can only be reached by high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The Mission:

• Distribute donations: clothes, toys, pantry staples (despensas), blankets, and dog food.
  
• Bring holiday cheer: inflatable Santa costumes, piñatas, Christmas carols, and games.
  
• Support the community: each village gets a raffle for bicycles for the children.
  

Strengthen connection: through music, shared meals, and conversation under the stars.

The Journey Through the Mountains

Our group of trucks caravanned up steep dirt roads and winding switchbacks, honking as we rolled into each town—a signal that “Santa” had arrived.

In each pueblo, locals gathered under a small open-air pavilion. The joy was contagious: children’s eyes lit up at toys and piñatas, adults smiled as they received warm clothing and pantry supplies, and even the dogs wagged their tails as bags of food were handed out.

Some club members donned inflatable Santa and snowman suits, dancing with the kids while we handed out gifts. In every village, we raffled off a bicycle for one lucky child and gave warm blankets to the elderly—a lifeline in the chilly mountain nights.

If you’d like to support a future Santa 4×4 with donations you can send money to my friend Ro any time of year for an upcoming event via PayPal.

https://www.paypal.me/RodrigoMorales1712

Campfire Nights and Canyons Full of Gratitude

At night, we’d camp in abandoned or borrowed properties offered by locals. Fires were lit, food was cooked, and holiday spirit took over.

In our group, Chris and Arturo played violin and guitar while we clutched maracas and triandles and sang along to carols. Cups were filled with ponche de frutas, hot chocolate, coffee, and a bit of holiday tequila as we laughed and reflected under the stars.

The next morning, after breakfast, we paused to speak with a farmer walking home with a newborn donkey and its mother—a quiet, beautiful moment in the middle of the sierra.

Before returning to Monterrey late that night, we visited isolated families who support the local canyoneering and rappelling clubs throughout the year, delivering gifts to show appreciation. These weren’t official towns—just a scattering of homes deep in the mountains—but the gratitude was the same.

Why It Matters

Santiago’s mountain communities are often overlooked and under-resourced. Roads are unpaved and steep. Phone signals are rare. Some families must travel hours just to reach a store or doctor.

This event isn’t just about the donations—it’s about being seen, connected, and cared for. It’s a reminder that adventure can be about giving, not just going.

Travel Tips for Joining or Visiting During the Santa 4×4 Event

Where It Happens:

• Santiago, Nuevo León, a Pueblo Mágico known for its waterfalls, canyons, and wild Sierra Madre terrain.
  
• Most mountain communities involved are not on Google Maps—locals and clubs know the trails best.
  

How to Join:

• Connect with clubs like North Off Road or Aguerridos on Facebook or Instagram.
  
• Have a 4×4 vehicle in good condition. High clearance and traction are essential.
  
• Bring camping gear, warm clothes, and donation items.
  

What to Donate:

• Used clothing (clean and in good condition)
  
• Non-perishable food (rice, beans, canned goods, etc.)
  
• Toys (new or gently used)
  
• Blankets, dog food, basic hygiene items
  

What to Expect:

• Cold nights, open-air camping
  
• No phone signal—offline maps and radios are useful
  
• Shared meals, music, laughter, and real connection
  

When Giving Becomes an Adventure

It was more than a birthday trip—it was a transformative experience. We didn’t just drive off-road; we bridged gaps between city and mountain, privilege and poverty, strangers and friends.

If you’re looking to give back while exploring the beauty of Nuevo León’s rugged sierra, the Santa 4×4 event is an unforgettable way to do both.

Want More Adventures Like This?

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