Every year, one of the largest festivals in the country takes place right here in San Antonio, Texas. That’s right, it’s Fiesta! Rooted in the deep, rich history of this vibrant city, Fiesta has come to define the thriving and energized synergy of a culturally diverse city. Traditions are visible throughout the two-week celebration, and one of the most popular is the collecting of custom Fiesta medals.
The tradition began in 1946 when the reigning King Antonio handed out coins to the local children. It wasn’t long after that coin tossing ingrained itself as a timeless tradition and children began decorating their coin purses tying them around their necks during the march of the parade. As time passed, holes were punched into the middle of the coins, paving the way to the modern-day Fiesta medal.
Today, Fiesta medal collecting is so popular that many people wear banners proudly displaying all the medals they have collected throughout the years. Companies and organizations custom design medals to represent their brand, mission, or something fun and whimsical. To the avid collector, each medal carries a special memory that captures the moments of that celebratory Fiesta year.
As San Antonio welcomed 2020, medal designs were already being created and produced as anticipation for the most successful Fiesta celebration buzzed throughout the business industry. No one could have ever anticipated the events that would silence the buzz and cancel the city’s beloved festivity.
It is often said, that out of adversity, we become stronger and find purpose in the spaces we never imagined. This admonition of encouragement would take root in the unlikeliest of places, forging a story of courage and selfless love. It is this story that brings special meaning to our Keith Zars Pools 2020 Fiesta medal.
Inspired by the vibrant colors and bold elements of this festive celebration, our very own, Jenifer Robles, created a splendid design that captured the heart of our company. We were eager to get the order in early and incredibly excited to unveil the 2020 Fiesta medal to our staff and customers.
As COVID-19 launched us into unprecedented times, delays were inevitable for everyone waiting on their much-anticipated Fiesta medal orders. It was during this time that our Fiesta medal designer and valued KZP employee, Jenifer Robles, tragically lost her beloved son, Joshua Robles. To honor his memory, we inquired if there was still time to engrave Joshua’s initials on the fiesta medals. Due to the recent delays in production, we were able to add this special memento.
In the advent of this unimaginable tragedy, something beautiful began to take root. Jenifer let us know that Joshua became an organ donor. She received a letter from the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance expressing how profound this gift of life can be, learning that Joshua’s generous gift went to four individuals who now have a second chance at life. These individuals are living proof that “organ donation is not a tragedy, but it can be a beautiful light in the midst of one.” (Unknown)
Upon hearing this news, Keith Zars Pools decided to honor Joshua’s memory further by partnering with the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance and donating all proceeds for the 2020 Keith Zars Pools Commemorative Fiesta Medals to their organization. Texas Organ Sharing Alliance serves more than 7 million people in 56 Central and South Texas counties. Starting with the four physicians who founded TOSA in 1975, the mission remains true more than 40 years later: “Saving lives through the power of organ donation.”
Every year, thousands of people await the “Gift of Life.” Keith Zars Pools honors Joshua Robles, his “Gift of Life” and the legacy he leaves behind.
To learn more about how you can become an organ donor, visit https://www.tosa1.org/
