Christmas came early for 150 children as Santa Clara Rotary Club once again brought its “Christmas 4 Kids” program to Santa Clara last week. The event, now in its third decade, hosts disadvantaged kids from local schools for an afternoon of fun, gifts and warmth — both literal and figurative.
As it has for many years, Lexus of Stevens Creek hosted the party, while Royal Coach Tours chauffeured the children to and from it. A small army of volunteers from Rotary, as well as the community, combined their efforts to make the event run like clockwork.
Children got a rousing welcome from volunteers, and enjoyed holiday crafts, photos with Santa (who made a dramatic arrival in an SC430 Lexus convertible), books, gifts for themselves and their families, and brand-new winter coats.
Middle school volunteers helped make the event happen.
“I love Christmas and this is a great way to celebrate,” said eighth grader Thomas.
This is his second time volunteering for Christmas 4 Kids.
Sixth grader Sabrina agreed.
“It’s a good way to celebrate Christmas,” she said.
“I love helping kids,” said sixth grader Lily. “When I see little kids happy, it makes me happy.”
Christmas 4 Kids isn’t just about presents. It’s also a party. Derek, a third grader, said that the most fun that afternoon was “seeing all my friends” and enjoying “all the activities.”
One of those activities was making Christmas cards, something second grader Charlotte especially enjoyed. She made a card for the mom, she said, “because she loves me and I love her.”
Eighth grader Isaac, who was helping with the Christmas cards, said the event was important because “not all these students would have a Christmas. There are a lot of families who are struggling.”
“This is one of my favorite traditions,” said Rotarian Ana Vargas-Smith, who was supervising the Santa visits. “Growing up in Santa Clara, I’ve cherished its small-town traditions, and volunteering with Rotary now lets me share that sense of belonging with our youth and keep our SC traditions alive.”
Soccer celebrities also volunteered for the event. “It makes me feel good to help,” said George “King” Lamtey, former Olympian and current head coach for MVLA Soccer, “and see true goodness coming from people.”
“This is one of my favorite ways of giving back to the community,” said Barry Johnson, Lexus of Stevens Creek general sales manager. “The kids love it. And I love the fact that the older kids are helping.”
Some of New Valley teacher Lindsey Couto’s students were among the volunteers.
“Our students want to give back,” she said. “Some of them were in this program when they were younger.”
For nearly a century, Santa Clara Rotary has served the local community, with a special focus on young people. The club also sponsors scholarships, Steps for Success – providing students with properly fitting new shoes at the beginning of the school year – and the Enterprise Leadership program, teaching business skills to teens.
Rotary International is a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a $2+ billion worldwide vaccination effort.
Carolyn Schuk can be reached at carolyn@santaclaraweekly.com.
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