Events

Mommy, there really is a Santa!

Victorville, Ca.  Nearly two hundred children throughout the Victor Valley had one more reason to believe in Santa, as their Christmas wishes were answered with local compassion.  Sponsored by The Don Ferrarese Charitable Foundation, Frontier Homes and Ryan McEachron,  “Santa’s Sleigh” delivered over one thousand toys to Kinari restaurant in Victorville, where families were treated to cookies and punch as they received their gifts.  “I was contacted by Don Ferrarese, who wanted to do something special for those in need.  Said Ryan McEachron.  “I then contacted Frontier Homes, knowing of their past charitable contributions to the local community.  From there, it just took off.”  McEachron said.   Don Ferrarese said that the Ferrarese Foundation then contacted the counselors at the elementary schools to see if they could refer those in need to Santa’s Sleigh. Quickly, the counselors responded and the list of those kids in need grew to two hundred.  The members of the Ferrarese  Foundation personally shopped at Victor Valley stores every night for nearly two weeks, to fulfill the three wishes of each of the recipients.   While not all wishes were able to be fulfilled, the $100 budget for each recipient went a long way in ensuring that most kids received what they asked Santa Claus for.  Ron and Gwen Mather, owners of Kinari restaurant in Victorville, offered  to allow the Ferrarese Foundation to utilize the restaurant for the give away, allowing the recipients to get out of the cold and be seated while they enjoyed cookies and punch.  The idea was inspired by Homefront America, a non-profit group that supports the families of our military personnel.  Homefront America has families or businesses adopt a family for which to buy gifts for at Christmas time.  As opposed to buying random toys to be dropped off in a big box,  the sponsoring family personally buys the gifts, after receiving a wish list from the family in need, then wraps the gifts and personally presents them to the sponsored family.  “This is an incredible way for families to engage in a meaningful activity together at Christmas, while engaging in the real Christmas spirit”, said Ferrarese.   This was a phenomenal experience.  Next year, we are going to  do it again, bigger and better.  Why can’t a thousand families sponsor a thousand families?  Can you imagine working with your kids, saving $25 per month so that they can adopt a family at Christmas time?  Ferrarese excitedly exclaimed?