In 2009, Executive Director Dr. Juan Antonio Sorto received a donation of 15 stuffed animals from a personal friend. Each year, the number of stuffed animals donated has increased to reach a record high of 3,000 toys in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic put a temporary pause on the mission.

Before 2019, 300 food and toiletry baskets were delivered throughout 12 communities in San Miguel and La Union, El Salvador, which have been the center of the mission. In addition to providing a festive experience through toy donations, Juan also takes a group of children who earn a C+ grade point average or above, and their families, to the movie theater with all expenses paid. This has been made possible with the generosity of family and friends. In 2022, the events were back in person with modifications. In 2022, 1,500 toys were delivered with 50 toiletry baskets, 24 piñatas, and a Christmas dinner.

In addition to the Christmas toy drives, a health initiative was implemented in 2017. This currently consists of wellness walks and 5k and half-marathon races in conjunction with a local running group.

In total, the Christmas toy drives and celebrations, along with the health initiatives, cost $10,000 per year.

However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic brought to light the need for capital improvement projects within these 12 communities, expanding the mission even further.

In March 2023, Friends of El Salvador was registered as a 501(c)(3), as a way to continue to provide seasonal programming and sustainable capital improvement projects.