The 45th Annual Christmas Shopping Tour for Children PICS READY FOR DOWNLOAD
The spirit of giving was pervasive last week as Don’s Mobile Glass hosted the 45th Annual Christmas Shopping Tour for Children at The Century in downtown Modesto. The Shopping Tour is an event that we look forward to and prepare for all year long. With the help of our local elementary schools including El Vista, Shackelford, Martone, Empire, Orville Wright, Tuolumne, Robertson Road, and The Salvation Army Red Shield of Modesto, 83 students were given an opportunity to go Christmas shopping and pick out the things they need like winter clothes, new shoes & socks – and even a toy or two.
Students arrive at El Vista Elementary School where they are matched with volunteer shoppers from all around the community. The Modesto Kiwanis Club sponsored 20 children with the help of several of the local high school Key Clubbers from Downy, Modesto High, Johansen, Greggori and Beyer High School. CAPAX-Giddings, Corby & Hynes of Modesto sponsored another 10 children.
Many other companies like Beard Land Improvement Company, Bohannon Insurance Group, BV Insurance, Enterprise Fleet Management, Mid Valley Nut and Vinyl Fence Company make the Shopping Tour possible by sponsoring groups of children. In addition to our relationships with organizations and businesses, we cannot thank our individual sponsors enough for dedicating their time for some 10, 20, or even more than 30 years!
Joe Bene, a dear friend of Don’s Mobile Glass, has sponsored the Shopping Tour since the beginning and now with the help of his wife Nancy, we can extend our reach to Empire Elementary School. This year, we lost a longtime sponsor and co-founder of the Shopping Tour, Mr. Bart Bartoni. Bart participated as a sponsor every year for 44 years without fail and we are forever grateful for his commitment to the children of this community. We thank his wife Lisa Bartoni for continuing the tradition.
In addition to our volunteer sponsors, we are thankful to the Downy High School Choir, the Knightengales, for their lovely Christmas performance at dinner. The added entertainment is something to be enjoyed by all! We’re also grateful to Barnes & Noble on McHenry Avenue in Modesto for their generous donation of more than 200 brand-new books!
Books are carefully sorted by reading level by Pat Glattke, our longtime sponsor and member of both the Modesto Kiwanis and Friends of the Library. After dinner, children are allowed to choose 1 or 2 books to keep. There is so much excitement surrounding this activity and it’s a great addition to the event!
At the end of the night, just before the fun is over and children are taken home, sleigh bells ring in the distance. Rudolph and Frosty lead the way for Santa as he lets out a bellowing, Ho Ho Ho!! The kids let loose with pure joy, many of them grinning ear-to-ear as they line up to take a picture with Santa. This might be my favorite part of the whole evening and a great way to say Merry Christmas!
